A sudden scandal has erupted in Spain: a surgeon in his fourth year of general surgery residency publicly appealed to Mercadona, the country’s largest supermarket chain, seeking a job. The young doctor, known on social media as @replysl, openly explained his reasons — despite years of training and night shifts, his actual hourly wage is embarrassingly low. In his post, he emphasized that after 11 years of study and countless shifts, his work is valued at just €8.82 per hour. The doctor asked if there were any cashier positions available so he could at least slightly improve his financial situation.
The post quickly went viral, sparking a wave of comments and discussions. Users expressed outrage: how could someone responsible for saving lives be forced to seek a part-time job at a supermarket? The surgeon added that what frightened him wasn’t the €92 per shift, but the “fine print” of the profession—bearing responsibility for every decision, where a mistake could cost a life and lead to a prison sentence. By comparison, he noted, if an appliance repair technician makes a mistake, at worst they might flood a kitchen, but if a doctor does, the consequences are far more tragic.
Mercadona’s response
Mercadona did not stay silent and responded in its signature manner. Representatives of the chain suggested the surgeon register on their job portal and create a candidate profile. The polite but entirely standard message caused even more stir, as many saw it as a mockery—this was not an average job seeker, but a highly educated specialist with huge responsibilities. Nonetheless, Mercadona reminded everyone that profiles must be kept up-to-date to be considered during selection. The wish of good luck came across as almost ironic in the context of the entire situation.
Doctors’ Salaries
The issue of medical professionals’ pay in Spain has long sparked debate. According to recent data published in 2024, doctors’ base salaries depend on their professional category: in the highest group (group 0), the annual base salary is €31,751.4, while in the lowest (group 4) it is €21,521.1. Various bonuses are added to these amounts, including for hazardous conditions, special work environments, operating official vehicles, and even for the number of days worked remotely per week. For example, the hazard bonus is €716 per year, but for extreme conditions it rises to €2,615.4.
Nevertheless, even with all the bonuses, many doctors complain that their income does not reflect the level of responsibility and workload they face. This is felt especially acutely by residents, who spend up to 24 hours at a time in the hospital, and whose work is often paid at the minimum rate. Doctors point out that mistakes in their profession come at a very high cost, while their financial compensation remains at the level of unskilled labor.
Public reaction
The story of a surgeon seeking a job at Mercadona sparked a nationwide debate over the value of medical professionals’ work in today’s Spain. Social media users showed massive support for the doctor, highlighting the absurdity of a person who saves lives being forced to look for side jobs just to make ends meet. Many compared doctors’ salaries to supermarket employees’ earnings and drew disheartening conclusions.
Doctors and other healthcare workers are increasingly calling for a review of the salary system. They demand that the state and employers finally acknowledge the true value of their work and provide fair conditions. As this case has shown, even the most highly qualified specialists are forced to consider changing professions or seeking additional income.
The issue of responsibility
The surgeon drew special attention to the issue of responsibility. He emphasized that in his profession, the price of a mistake is a human life, and the consequences can be fatal not only for the patient, but also for the doctor himself. At the same time, in other fields, where salaries are often higher, there is simply no such level of responsibility. According to many, this contrast has become the main source of outrage.
The situation involving the appeal to Mercadona has become a symbol of the crisis in Spain’s healthcare system. It clearly demonstrated that even those who have dedicated their lives to medicine do not feel protected or respected. While the authorities discuss reforms, doctors continue to work to exhaustion, and society debates what the true value of a human life is.
