Avancem Presses Encamp Council Again on Staff Conditions, Demands Reform Timelines

The opposition group Avancem will again press Encamp's communal council on staff working conditions at Thursday's session on 18 June, demanding timelines for salary grid reviews, working hour reductions and flexibilisation, reconciliation measures, and remote working options.

Avancem has submitted the question under the agenda's requests and queries section, citing persistent challenges in retaining and recruiting personnel. Social-democratic councillor Marta Pujol pointed to a "constant drip of resignations and absences" observed in human resources committees and departmental meetings, which have created difficulties covering vacancies and maintaining normal service operations amid demographic growth and rising economic activity.

This follows their initial query at the 18 December 2024 council session, where the ruling majority argued that comparisons with other administrations were not relevant due to differing realities. Workers had also sent a letter to the consuls requesting improvements, receiving a reply that communal staff already enjoy better conditions than in the private sector. Avancem rejects this benchmark, insisting public administration should align with other public bodies—whose mission is public service delivery, not profit—and highlights Nordic countries where shorter hours support high productivity and improved pay.

The group recalls that junior consul Xavier Fernàndez announced work on a new working hours regulation to include reconciliation measures during the December debate. Although anti-harassment protocols were approved at the most recent council meeting, Avancem maintains no real or effective improvements to conditions have been implemented this term. They seek a clear calendar for reforms to ensure optimal public services.