Health Workers in Arequipa Demand Permanent Appointments Under CAS COVID Law

Health personnel previously employed under the “CAS COVID” regime in Arequipa have mobilized in the city’s Plaza de Armas to demand the government fulfill legal mandates regarding their transition to permanent employment. The protesters are calling for the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to adhere to established guidelines that regulate the incorporation of temporary healthcare workers into the permanent civil service, a process promised to those who served during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stalled Appointments and Labor Rights

The mobilization, led by representatives including Lourdes Patricia, highlights a growing tension between health workers and state authorities. According to reports from *El Búho*, the primary grievance centers on the delay in finalizing the appointment process for staff who worked on the front lines during the health emergency.

Beyond the transition to permanent status, the protesters are demanding formal recognition of their labor rights. These include:

• Compensación por Tiempo de Servicios (CTS): The mandatory severance indemnity for workers.
• Gratifications: Statutory bonuses typically provided to formal workers in Peru.

These workers argue that their service during the pandemic entitles them to the same benefits afforded to other public sector employees. The transition to the permanent regime is not only a matter of job security but a requirement for accessing the full package of social benefits guaranteed under Peruvian labor law.

The Context of the CAS COVID Regime

The “CAS COVID” (Contrato Administrativo de Servicios) regime was implemented as a temporary measure to rapidly expand the workforce during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this mechanism allowed for the quick hiring of doctors, nurses, and technicians, it lacked the long-term protections of the standard public service career path.

As the emergency phase concluded, the Peruvian government initiated a multi-phase plan to incorporate these workers into the regular payroll. However, regional health workers in Arequipa contend that the execution of these phases has been inconsistent and slow. The current protests serve as a pressure tactic to ensure that the transition criteria are applied uniformly and that the promised benefits are not withheld due to administrative bottlenecks.

Next Steps for Health Personnel

The ongoing demonstrations in Arequipa represent a broader national conversation regarding the treatment of temporary health staff. With the legal framework for these appointments already established in various legislative decrees, the conflict has shifted from a debate over policy to a dispute over administrative implementation.

Health workers remain in a state of alert, awaiting a formal response from regional health authorities and the central government. Further mobilizations are expected if the requested meetings with government officials do not result in a clear timeline for the completion of the appointment processes and the payment of pending benefits.