Santa Cruz de La Palma INSS Office Operating with Half Staff Despite Court Ruling
The Santa Cruz de La Palma office of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) is still operating with only four staff members, despite a recent court ruling that highlighted excessive workloads and a lack of preventative measures.
Sara Hernández, spokesperson for Drago La Palma, stated, “When someone needs to process a pension, a disability claim, or the Minimum Vital Income, it’s not just a simple formality—it’s about accessing basic rights.”
Drago La Palma has raised concerns in the Spanish Congress about the ongoing staff shortage and excessive workloads that have plagued the office for years. This situation is impacting both the working conditions of staff and local residents’ access to essential services.
On June 25, Més per Mallorca MP Vicenç Vidal submitted questions to the government, demanding explanations regarding the situation at the Santa Cruz de La Palma INSS office and what actions will be taken to address the issues that led to the court’s verdict.
The questions posed include:
- What measures has the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration taken to comply with the Court of Justice of the Canary Islands’ ruling?
- How will the Secretary of State for Social Security and Pensions hold responsible parties accountable for the ongoing situation?
- Does the ministry believe that the staff shortage jeopardises residents’ right to adequate service?
- Has the INSS communicated anything about this issue to the Secretary of State, and if not, will they make a formal request for information?
Hernández pointed out that the office should have eight staff members according to its established roles, but currently has only half that number. This situation has persisted for years, coinciding with administrative reorganisations that have further complicated in-person assistance.
Many residents find it difficult to secure appointments or access vital services, which has serious implications for their economic security. Hernández said, “It’s unacceptable that the lack of personnel becomes a barrier for the residents of the island.”
The issue is exacerbated for those living on La Palma, which lacks alternative service offices. When appointments are unavailable, the system even redirects citizens to offices on other islands for certain processes, which Hernández described as incomprehensible.
The recent inquiry comes in light of a ruling from the Canary Islands’ High Court, which found that the INSS failed to fulfil its obligations for risk prevention and acknowledged the excessive workloads and insufficient staffing. The court ordered the agency to implement corrective measures and to compensate an affected employee.
Hernández expressed concern, noting that the challenges have been reported for years. “It’s not a new issue; the deficiencies of this office have been highlighted repeatedly. There’s a court ruling confirming the excessive workload, yet the staffing remains far below required levels,” she said, urging the ministry to explain its plans to address the situation.
The combination of inadequate staffing, reported access difficulties, and the court’s ruling make it urgent for the ministry to act to ensure both proper service for citizens and decent working conditions for employees.
“The people of La Palma shouldn’t receive second-rate public services due to their location. The state has an obligation to guarantee equal rights and quality of service regardless of where one lives,” Hernández stated.
Drago La Palma, along with Drago Canarias, thanked Vicenç Vidal and Més per Mallorca for bringing these issues to the forefront, hoping for transparent responses and necessary actions from the government to ensure proper service and working conditions at the INSS office in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
