Sylvie is a former French nursing auxiliary from Sarthe who retired at 62, in October 2020, after nearly 25 years dedicated to the profession. She worked in public hospitals, private facilities and residences for the elderly, in Le Mans, Laval, Angers and Rennes, in western France. Her career also included three years in a neonatology unit, which she considers the most significant experience of her career.
Currently, Sylvie receives a monthly pension of approximately €1,625 net, from different entities such as AGIRC-ARRCO and CNRACL. This amount represents a difference of approximately €275 monthly compared to her last salary, when she earned about €1,900 net as a worker in a public residence for the elderly in Angers.
The former auxiliary considers the pension amount "insufficient" and "unfair," pointing to the long working hours, physical effort, many hours on her feet and the responsibility of the work as reasons for this dissatisfaction. Despite everything, she received retirement with enthusiasm, wanting to dedicate more time to herself after decades of caring for others.
The article also mentions that, in Portugal, the career of healthcare technician was created in 2023 with an entry-level base remuneration of €983 gross monthly, corresponding to the first remuneration position. This comparison arises in the context of the discussion about low salaries and pensions in these professions considered essential.
