IMSS launches 120-day plan with 8 percent pay raise for 504 thousand workers

IMSS director Zoé Robledo presented a plan of 12 actions to be applied within 120 days to improve medical care and labor conditions. The strategy emerged from direct dialogue with staff, floor by floor, in each hospital.

The announcement was made during President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's daily conference at the National Palace. Robledo said 11 billion 745 million pesos will be invested through new service contracting schemes, direct purchase of anesthesia equipment, a new hemodialysis scheme, dialogue strategies with providers, and reduced service subcontracting.

“It is an important effort that we are sure will continue contributing to the purchasing power of our women and men workers.”

By instruction of the president, IMSS resumed dialogue with the National Union of Social Security Workers to raise the salary increase from 6.8 to 8 percent. The increase consists of 4 percent on the tabular salary and 4 percent on housing assistance, and was approved by the IMSS Technical Council.

The increase will benefit 504 thousand 276 active workers starting this Tuesday and 367 thousand 347 retirees and pensioners starting November 1. It is the third time in 23 years that the increase reaches 8 percent, and the second time in 14 years that the tabular salary reaches 4 percent.

Robledo specified that the 6.8 percent increase represented an expense of nearly 20 billion pesos. Raising it to 8 percent implies an additional 5 billion 229 million pesos.

Within the next 120 days, 10 thousand 939 workers known as 08, who currently cover shifts, vacations, and disabilities with temporary contracts, will receive base positions. Of these, 6 thousand 363 are nurses, 1 thousand 439 are doctors, and 673 are orderlies. Hygiene, cleaning, warehouse, window, and conservation staff will also be included, with an investment of 3 billion 140 million pesos.

During the pandemic, 7 thousand 378 workers were incorporated into the institute under this hiring scheme.