Four Spanish S&D MEPs, led by Idoia Mendia, have asked the European Commission whether proposals to cut workers' wages or benefits during medically certified sick leave are compatible with EU health and safety law, in a parliamentary question submitted on 8 July 2026. The MEPs warn that such measures, debated in some member states, could pressure employees to return to work before full recovery, endangering their physical and mental health.
The question cites Directive 89/391/EEC, which requires employers to ensure workers' safety and health in all work-related aspects, and Article 31 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guarantees fair working conditions respecting health, safety and dignity. The MEPs argue that financial penalties for legitimate absences — including sick leave, caring for family members, or mental health issues — blur the line between tackling fraud and punishing genuine illness.
whether the Commission considers such financial penalties compatible with the EU health and safety acquis; whether it agrees that penalising medical absences can undermine effective health protection; and whether the upcoming Quality Jobs Act will promote prevention, mental health, workplace adaptation and social dialogue instead of punitive measures.
The Quality Jobs Act, expected from the Commission later this year, is a flagship initiative to improve working conditions across the EU. The MEPs' intervention signals a push to ensure the legislation adopts a preventive, supportive approach rather than a punitive one.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views national proposals to cut sick pay as a potential breach of EU law, and how it intends to shape the Quality Jobs Act on this issue.