Overview of the Labor Inspectorate and Industrial Action
Labor inspectors are facing a historic moment as unions announce a rolling series of strikes. Five unions representing inspectors and related roles warned of three-day stoppages in the near term, citing insufficient technical resources and stagnant salaries. The protests are a renewal of earlier demonstrations paused at the start of the year, with unions pressing the Ministry of Labor to meet their demands. The dispute centers on the department led by Yolanda Díaz, who has publicly stated that the parties did not reach an agreement and pointed to the other unions, including CCOO, CIG, SITSS, SISLASS, and USESS, for their positions. Without a prior consensus, a strike could mark the first statewide walkout in the agency’s long history. One association representing state employment and social security sub-inspectors has chosen not to support the protests, reflecting ongoing internal differences within the sector.
Recent figures from the Labor Inspectorate show that, historically, the body has operated with limited staffing. In 2020, the inspectorate counted about 2,005 inspectors and assistant inspectors who were tasked with overseeing a labor force exceeding 20 million workers. That translates to more than 10,000 workers overseen per representative, a ratio that has become more challenging as labor regulations expand. Critics argue that the resources allocated to the inspectorate have not kept pace with the evolving regulatory landscape.
New reforms in labor law—such as the registration of working hours, updated equality plans, and new contract models—have been pursued alongside ongoing inspectorate activity. Observers note that funding and resource growth have not consistently matched the scope of responsibilities, a concern repeatedly raised by power centers within the sector. Data presented by the ministry’s leadership suggest that inspector activity has surged in recent years, even as hardware and software systems age and face reliability issues. These pressures underscore the need for robust investment in digital infrastructure to support modern enforcement tasks.
Advocates of stronger oversight emphasize that a well-supported Supervisory Board is essential to maintain solvency and effectiveness amid growing business complexity and the rapid integration of new technologies. Yolanda Díaz, the ministry’s second vice president, has highlighted attempts to strengthen inspection capacity and adapt to tech-driven changes, noting that the inspectorate’s work contributes to the state coffers and the broader fiscal and regulatory system. Reports indicate that inspection activities have raised substantial sums in recent fiscal periods and have influenced reforms around informal work arrangements and contract stability.
Critics argue that leaving the organization and its staff without sufficient backing risks weakening oversight. They urge a unified stance from leadership and political authorities to align commitments with actions, stressing that speeches should translate into concrete measures. The unions have called for a three-day, 24-hour strike intended to mobilize all regional centers and inspectorates, with dates set for December, January, and February, unless a prior agreement is reached. The proposed walkout represents a pivotal moment for the labor inspection framework and its capacity to respond to economic and technological shifts in the workforce.
In the broader context, observers emphasize that a resilient and well-resourced inspection system supports fair labor practices, reduces instances of misclassification, and enhances compliance with working-time rules. As the labor market evolves, the inspectorate’s role becomes increasingly central to ensuring safe, legal, and equitable employment conditions across the economy. The ongoing discussions and potential strike actions are framed as a test of how effectively government agencies, unions, and workers can collaborate to shape enforcement in a digital age, while safeguarding the rights and protections of workers and the integrity of the regulatory framework.