Securing an appointment at the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) has become an ordeal in the Barcelona region. Many users report that after weeks of failed attempts online and by phone, they are forced to travel to offices in Rubí, Manresa, Vilanova i la Geltrú, or even Berga to manage their benefits.
“"The only place I found is Berga. I don't understand why I have to travel more than 100 kilometers. It's a mess, a disaster."
This situation has fueled a black market where individuals and some internet cafes in the Raval neighborhood charge between 20 and 30 euros to secure an appointment. Although the Government has implemented measures to block automated bots, some people still spend hours manually booking slots to resell them.
The CGT and CCOO unions point to severe staff shortages as the primary cause of the collapse. Union data shows that the workforce has been drastically reduced in recent years due to unfilled retirements and slow recruitment processes within the General State Administration.
“"We are completely collapsed. Fewer than 20 people are working the phones for the entire province, and that is unmanageable."
The director of SEPE in Barcelona, Víctor Santa-Bárbara, admitted that the current 1,200 daily appointments are insufficient. However, he expects 200 new staff members to join in the coming months and recommends using the online pre-application form to bypass the booking system.
