The Bank of Spain has tendered a contract of €943,736 to provide physiotherapy and Pilates classes to its staff for five years, framed within workplace risk prevention.
The Bank of Spain, presided over by José Luis Escrivá, has initiated a public tender worth nearly a million euros to contract physiotherapy services and group Pilates classes. The contract, which covers a period of up to five years, is aimed at the institution's employees as part of its workplace risk prevention programme.
The estimated budget amounts to €943,736 if all the planned extensions are executed: three initial years plus two additional ones. During the first three years, the base expenditure is €505,573, of which €239,923 is allocated to physiotherapy massages and €265,650 to Pilates classes. The contract includes the possibility of expansion if demand increases.
The initiative, called Back School, aims to address musculoskeletal disorders and correct poor ergonomic habits. According to the proposal document, the bank's Occupational Health and Environmental Risk Prevention Division justifies that its permanent medical staff is not qualified to provide this specialised assistance, hence the reliance on external centres.
Preventing workplace absenteeism
The Bank of Spain argues that these services provide added value to the health monitoring it already conducts, and that its goal is to minimise workplace absenteeism caused by musculoskeletal diseases. It also aims to prevent injuries through postural hygiene recommendations.
Currently, the entity already offers these services, but the existing contract is nearing expiration. The new contractors are expected to begin on 1 January 2027, according to the tender conditions.
For readers interested in the management of the Bank of Spain, this contract adds to other recent tenders that have generated controversy. For example, last autumn, a tender was issued for the purchase of beds and mattresses for the two summer residences of the staff, and just a few days ago, the rental of two high-end cars for over €300,000 for senior officials was announced.
Escrivá at the centre of controversy
These contracts coincide with the media attention surrounding the governor of the Bank of Spain. José Luis Escrivá has been mentioned in judicial proceedings related to the rescue of the airline Plus Ultra, when he was a minister in Pedro Sánchez's government. According to the order from Judge Santiago Pedraz, Escrivá met with former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero just six days after Plus Ultra requested the rescue from SEPI.
Beyond the controversies, the fact is that the Bank of Spain continues with its modernisation and workplace wellbeing plan. The Back School is, according to the entity, a tool to improve the health of its workers and reduce absenteeism. Employees will be able to access these services at the bank's facilities in Madrid.
The massage and Pilates contract is an example of how public institutions invest in prevention, although the amount — close to a million euros — has drawn attention in a context of public spending restraint. Those interested in the award can consult the terms on the State contracting platform.
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