A SEPE official is dismissed for attending without an appointment: does it affect you?

Well, it turns out that a SEPE official in Mérida has gotten himself into trouble for helping people without appointments. His name is Juan Carlos Nieto; he’s been doing this for almost 40 years, and he says he only helped when there was no line or after he’d already assisted those with appointments. But SEPE management claims he disobeyed orders and issued certificates without following protocol. The case has brought to light an issue you’re probably familiar with: how hard it is to get an appointment with the government.

The Mérida office is now understaffed: there used to be eight or nine employees, now there are only four. Some people travel over 100 kilometers just to get an appointment. Nieto insists he only wanted to ease the bureaucratic burden. “When there’s no one else around, I try to lend a hand,” he said on COPE. The statement of charges, however, cites insubordination and paperwork that didn’t follow the rules.

The Ministry of Labor clarifies that the disciplinary proceedings are not solely for seeing people without an appointment, but for “multiple reasons” that, for confidentiality reasons, are not being disclosed. The decision will be made by the General Subdirectorate of Resources and Organization. For now, unions and neighbors have gathered in front of the office to support Nieto. He himself came out during his break to thank them and said, “This isn’t charity; it’s my job.”

If the serious misconduct charge proceeds, Nieto could face suspension from duty without pay, or even a forced transfer. The process is underway. If you’re dealing with immigration paperwork or benefits, this story sounds familiar: the system is rigid, but necessity is pressing. Online appointments don’t always go smoothly, and when they fail, you’re left hanging. In other offices, there are also civil servants who lend a hand, but they’re putting their necks on the line.

So what can you do? First, make an appointment online or by phone whenever you can. If you can’t get one, head to the office early and explain your situation. In some regions, there are information centers or organizations that can help you with the paperwork. Don’t give up: patience counts, but so does looking for other solutions. And if you run into a bureaucratic bottleneck, remember that you’re not the only one.

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