BackThe Ararteko has issued a report with seven recommendations on the improvements needed in Basque public administration to ensure access to offices and services in pandemic times as well as effective enjoyment of rights and to fight digital exclusion.
During the lockdown and afterwards, the Ararteko has received numerous complaints from the public reporting their inability to access services and offices, and their subsequent inability to, for example, apply for much needed economic support. With face-to-face assistance closed or heavily restricted, and overwhelmed telephone lines and on-line services, citizens faced significant difficulties in their business with public authorities and in their access to rights and services.
The Ararteko has analysed the situation globally and has addressed seven recommendations, including the reinforcement of telephone lines, domiciliary assistance, or the establishment of help points to assist citizens in making use of on-line channels to contact and do business with public offices.
A summary of the report and recommendations of the Ararteko in English are available further down below. The full report and recommendations are available on the Website of the Ararteko in Basque and Spanish.
Source: Office of the Ararteko (Ombudsman of the Basque Country), Spain
