During a meeting with the Secretary of Labor, Francisco Ramos, the ACEB highlighted that SOC (Catalan Public Employment Service) funding dropped from 4.1 million euros to 2.6 million in 2024. This 35% budget cut has directly affected the number of citizens served, which fell from 736 to 505 individuals.
“"This decrease has a direct impact on the citizens and the response capacity of the productive fabric."
The association's president, Josep Maria Serarols, proposed implementing the Espais de recerca de feina program in the region. This initiative aims to bridge the digital gap and foster autonomy among job seekers, a service currently unavailable in any Berguedà municipality despite its 20-year history in Catalonia.
The ACEB is calling for a change in how employment policies are evaluated, urging the Generalitat de Catalunya to include territorial criteria. They argue that inland regions facing depopulation risks require specific funding ratios to ensure equitable access to the labor market.
