The main unions representing Social Security workers are preparing a new round of actions that could heighten tensions in Spain, with a mobilization cycle announced across all offices and November cited as the starting point. The unions, in a joint statement from CSIF, CCOO and UGT, argue that chronic underfunding, a lack of generational renewal within a long-standing workforce, and perceived political irregularities surrounding Minister José Luis Escrivá have failed to reverse troubling trends.
For years, the unions have criticized widespread job losses and strained working relationships with employers. They point to an aging staff and the gradual closure of citizen assistance offices, arguing that service delivery changes were accelerated under the pretext of responding to a health emergency. The unions say thousands of citizens were pushed toward online and telematic channels due to staffing shortages, a concern they voiced in a letter to the minister.
Data from the Statistical Bulletin on personnel in Public Administrations and Social Security show a 24% reduction in staff over the last decade. In 2012, there were 30,217 public employees in the general treasury and related institutions, many of whom bore the weight of austerity measures. A decade later, only 22,979 remain, signaling a loss of nearly 8,000 workers and an uptick in workloads. Since last year, the government’s minimum vital income program has supported more than 500,000 households across Spain, alongside traditional pensions. A shared concern among centers is that a sizable portion of current employees are over 55 and will retire in the coming decade, creating growing retention and succession challenges.
A tolerated drift
The unions describe a persistent drift in neglect that has endured under both the People’s Party and Socialist governments, a situation they view as continuing since the early years of the current decade. While political leaders acknowledge issues, the unions remain adamant about pushing for reforms. Borja Suárez, speaking in Congress recently, highlighted a political will to address the deterioration the organization has faced and a plan to strengthen structure and modernize both equipment and personnel within the Social Security portfolio.
The unions stress the necessity of Social Security reforms to counter the perceived neglect. They argue that temporary staffing measures have not improved the system and have destabilized operations, threatening the administration’s long-term stability by failing to address the core organizational framework. Their concerns were conveyed in letters to the minister, warning that such short-term arrangements undermine lasting resilience.
The unions further accuse Escrivá of delaying the creation of a State Agency for the Social Security Administration. This agency had been promised in the first major pension agreement reached through social dialogue and signed in December 2021. Official state communications indicated that by July 2022, the government should have established this body to modernize, simplify, and drive efficiency within the social security system. The aim was to pursue rationalization, cost savings, and improved functioning across the institution. The absence of this agency is cited as a major missed milestone contributing to ongoing concerns among workers and their representatives. (Source: Ministry of Social Security reforms records)