The question of what Valencian language proficiency level will be required for access to higher civil service positions has been brought to the attention of the unions this Monday. Echoing the approach outlined last week, Minister of Justice Gabriela Bravo presented a proposal to the unions insisting that a B2 level be set for civil service personnel at the senior tier, while ensuring that language requirements do not exceed what the education system can guarantee. The ministry’s proposal was met with resistance from CSIF and Intersindical for distinct reasons, with both unions voicing strong opposition. In contrast, UGT PV and CC OO supported the idea, aligning with PV in their stance, which argued that no specific requirement should be imposed beyond a merit-based framework, while Intersindical maintained that the minimum should be C1 at the evolved level. For them, the focus remains on matching language standards with the overall educational attainment expected for top positions. Credit for this framing is attributed to the Ministry of Justice as it relays the proposed criteria to the education authorities and union representatives.
Both UGT and CC OO deemed the ministry’s recommendation to refrain from requesting levels beyond those already approved by the education system as reasonable. Presently, a B2 credential is linked to the completion of the Baccalaureate, which is the ceiling outlined by the Justice department for language proficiency. Bravo’s proposal brings into focus the role of the Education Ministry in the accreditation framework, suggesting that should a C1 be required, the same language level could be recognized as it is in Galicia at the end of the pre-university stage. Intersindical has already signaled strong discontent with the regulatory report issued last week and with Bravo’s position, arguing for a higher standard that better reflects the advanced degrees often held by candidates pursuing senior roles. Credit for these points is attributed to the union’s public statements and internal discussions reported this week.
From the unions’ perspective, a degree or even a master’s degree often accompanies applicants for senior civil service posts. They contend that if the academic credential is higher than a Baccalaureate, then it is reasonable to expect language proficiency to rise accordingly, reaching C1 or higher where appropriate. They point to existing models like Galicia as a reference point for contemporary practice at the post-secondary level and insist that any expansion of language expectations should be aligned with those broader educational outcomes. On this issue, another faction of the discussion notes that language requirements should scale with career progression rather than sit as a fixed gatekeeping metric. In parallel, CSIF has called for a moratorium on applying the proposed changes to protect ongoing workforce stabilization initiatives while civil service reforms are debated. Credit for this position is drawn from CSIF’s statements and the ensuing policy dialogue that followed Bravo’s presentation.