Thousands of Chilean Officials Flee on Medical Leave; Government Responds

Over 25,000 Chilean Public Officials Left the Country on Medical Leave: Minister Elizalde Responds Chile is grappling with a concerning issue: a recent report by the Contraloría General de la República (CGR) revealed that between 2023 and 2024, more than 25,000 public officials or employees of state-linked entities left the country while on active medical leave. This mass exodus has raised serious questions about potential abuse of the system and the implications for public services. The Minister of the relevant ministry, Mr. Elizalde, addressed the situation in a recent interview, stating, "It is grave. We are evaluating the Comptroller's report and taking measures." He further explained that the government is implementing a new law to provide better tools to prevent unjustified medical leaves. This new law aims to prevent the significant financial damage caused by these absences. The CGR report highlights the scale of the problem, detailing instances of employees taking extended medical leaves and leaving the country. The government's response, while acknowledging the gravity of the situation, is still under development. Further investigations are expected to shed more light on the causes and consequences of this issue. The government aims to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.