The Economic and Social Council (CES) welcomes the government’s decision to safeguard public assistance aimed at cushioning the epidemic’s impact and rising prices, and to ease poverty among the most vulnerable groups. It also notes the growth of a visible “black market” for electronic appointments used to access public services and benefits. In this context, Anton Costas, head of these aid programs, presented the Spain 2022 socio-economic and employment report, calling for a return to in-person appointments to ensure that those with the least access to digital means can interact more effectively with public administration.
Economic and Social Council urges accessible, face-to-face appointments for vulnerable groups
The report highlights persistent challenges in data processing throughout 2022 and cites delays in securing appointments, limited access to in-person visits at Social Security offices, and difficulties obtaining benefits. Represented social groups at CES remind citizens of their right to defend themselves in administrative matters and press for progress in remediation measures that restore personal, face-to-face attention, especially for those most affected by the digital divide and the weaknesses of the social security system. They advocate expanding telephone services and advancing the Social Security Digitization Plan to improve service delivery.
According to CES president Anton Costas, the existence of the “black market for appointments” impacts all public services, not only Social Security. He warned that if this problem becomes widespread in Spain, it could erode trust and potentially influence Europe’s anti-corruption rankings [CES 2022 report].
The discussion also covers the implementation of a minimum living income (IMV) and considers the risk of poverty in Spain. The report notes that gains from work should not be offset by up to 60 percent in certain non-monetary calculations, a concern raised by the Labor Commission head responsible for the report, Raymond Torres [CES 2022 report]. The overall takeaway is that the incentive’s impact remains uncertain, even as the policy aims to reduce poverty traps and support employment promotion.
“Unexpected Economic Spring”
On the country’s broader trajectory, the CES president described Spain as experiencing an unexpected economic spring, contrasting with fears of stagnation. The outlook suggests the spring could extend into 2023, with activity slowing but not reversing. Costas cautioned that restoring budgetary fiscal rules and the gradual exhaustion of accumulated household savings from the pandemic could temper this optimism. Torres echoed a similar view that the pace may ease, yet the ascent may persist, barring unforeseen shocks [CES 2022 report].
CES foresees an “unexpected economic spring” for 2023, but not necessarily for 2024
The 2022 CES report underscores the balancing act between economic stabilization and social protection in a high-inflation environment shaped by global uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine. The advisory body notes that inflation dynamics and potential second-round effects of monetary tightening could affect households and firms alike [CES 2022 report]. The data review highlights that, over the past year, profits contributed a sizable portion to revenue growth, while labor income rose more modestly and taxes showed a negative impact. This pattern underscores the need to strengthen the recently signed Employment and Collective Bargaining Convention for 2023–2025, with the aim of restoring some lost purchasing power for workers [Raymond Torres, CES presentation].
Overall, the CES position emphasizes a prudent approach to inflation, wage support, and social policy, aiming to safeguard incomes while maintaining macroeconomic stability. The emphasis remains on measures that bolster purchasing power, reinforce social protection networks, and advance the digital transformation of public services in a way that is inclusive and accessible to all citizens [CES 2022 report].