CCOO and the Association of Spanish Workers in Gibraltar (ASTEG) have announced that they will request explanations from SEPE regarding the problems detected in the processing of unemployment benefits for cross-border workers.
The unions have registered incidents in recent days that are affecting the management of unemployment benefits for workers who cross the border into Gibraltar daily. In light of this situation, CCOO and ASTEG have decided to join forces to ask the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) to clarify what is happening.
Both organisations believe that the Administrative Agreement signed between Spain and the United Kingdom provides sufficient legal coverage for these workers to access their rights without setbacks. However, the reality on the ground is different.
The entities will address SEPE, which is under the Ministry of Labour, in writing to demand that it issue clear instructions that allow for the normalisation of the processing of these benefits. The request includes a call for an urgent meeting to address the underlying problem.
Cross-border workers, who reside in Spain but work in Gibraltar, often face additional administrative difficulties due to the particularity of their employment situation. In this case, the detected problems directly affect the collection of unemployment benefits, a fundamental right for those who lose their jobs.
CCOO emphasises that the situation is particularly serious because the bilateral agreement should guarantee the smoothness of these procedures. The lack of precise instructions from SEPE is causing delays and unjustified denials.
ASTEG, for its part, has collected testimonies from workers who have been unable to collect their benefits for weeks, creating a situation of economic vulnerability for many families. The association reminds that these workers contribute to the Spanish Social Security and, therefore, have full rights to the benefits.
The joint claim also seeks for SEPE to adequately train its staff on the application of the Hispano-British agreement, to prevent repeated misinterpretations that harm citizens.
The group of cross-border workers in the Campo de Gibraltar is large, and their contribution to the local economy is significant. Any obstacle in accessing social benefits has a direct impact on the stability of hundreds of households.
The trade union organisations hope that SEPE will respond swiftly and take the necessary measures to resolve these incidents. In the meantime, they recommend that those affected contact their legal services for personalised advice.
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