A file is opened against an SEPE official for attending without appointment in Mérida

This Wednesday, more than a hundred people gathered in front of the SEPE office in Mérida. And this wasn’t just any protest: they were supporting Juan Carlos Nieto, a civil servant with 15 years of service who is facing disciplinary proceedings. The reason? Serving customers who arrived without an appointment. It’s that simple.

Nieto was moved by the show of support. And he insists he was just doing his job: “It’s not charity, it’s my duty.” According to him, the staff has been slashed drastically. There used to be nine workers; now there are only four. Add to that the infamous “single district” policy, which forces the unemployed to travel up to 100 kilometers to get an appointment. “It’s not that they give you an appointment for the afternoon; it’s that there aren’t any,” he complains. You see.

The SEPE, on the other hand, denies that there are delays in service. They claim that the backlog isn’t solely due to walk-ins, but rather that “there are multiple reasons” they cannot disclose due to confidentiality. The case is being investigated by the Services Inspectorate and will be resolved by the Subdirectorate General of Resources. We’ll see.

Users, however, tell a very different story. They complain that the offices seem empty but won’t see you if you don’t have an appointment. They have already collected some 400 signatures in support of Nieto and in protest of the situation. And the civil servant faces a serious penalty: up to six months of suspension from work and pay, or a forced transfer without compensation. Nothing more.

This case highlights a problem affecting thousands of people, including foreigners applying for benefits or renewals. If you need an appointment at the SEPE and can’t get one, the system’s overload can leave you hanging. So now you know.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria