Juan Carlos Nieto has spent 15 years at SEPE and nearly 40 in the public sector. So when disciplinary proceedings were brought against him for a serious offense, he didn’t see it coming. His “crime”: helping people who couldn’t get an appointment. He insists he was just doing his job. And that citizens pay taxes to receive a service, not to be met with a system that’s completely overwhelmed.
And mind you, the potential penalty is no joke. We’re talking about a six-month suspension from work and pay—or a forced transfer to another city without compensation. “They’re playing with my family’s livelihood,” he declared. More than a hundred people gathered in front of the SEPE offices in Mérida to support him. And even the Ombudsman has demanded an explanation.
The case raises an uncomfortable question: should a civil servant follow the rules to the letter, or does he have an obligation to assist the public when the system fails? Think about it: SEPE’s appointment system is often at minimum capacity. Some people don’t even cancel, or they go to the wrong office. So if you’re a foreigner, you know that getting an appointment is an odyssey.
Congress has already approved a non-binding resolution to eliminate the appointment system, with support from parties as diverse as Podemos, Vox, and the PP. But for now, the system remains the same. And in the meantime, a civil servant trying to lend a hand is risking his career.
If you’re stuck with your appointment or some paperwork, you’re not alone. You can ask for help or report delays. Just stay calm and look for reliable information.
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