The CCOO workers union has confirmed a general strike in the Canary Islands of the hotel sector for 17th and 18th April, during the busy Easter holiday period. According to an official statement, the strike is coming after more than six months of public demands by workers who claim to be enduring "unacceptable working conditions”.
The CCOO has criticised the "lack of social responsibility" shown by employers in the Canary Islands, who, despite enjoying consecutive years of record visitor numbers and profits, "remain unaware that the greed to keep all the wealth has disrupted the balance" in relations with workers within the sector.
Claims of Poor Working Conditions and Safety Concerns
Beyond salary issues, the union highlights that many hospitality workers need more than one job to live with dignity. They accuse some business owners of being "stuck in the prehistoric era" of labour relations, particularly criticising the lack of investment in occupational risk prevention. This situation, they claim, worsens every year.
According to CCOO, the hotel sector was the "only" one last year to exceed the number of workplace accidents recorded in 2023. Additionally, it is the sector with the highest number of registered occupational illnesses. These injuries and illnesses, they state, predominantly affect women, particularly housekeepers, one of the most physically demanding roles in the archipelago.
Concerns Over Work-Life Balance and Excessive Hours
The union also argues that while employers frequently discuss absenteeism, they show little interest in genuine preventive measures that could immediately benefit workers' health. "It seems that working in this sector condemns employees to lose their health on the job," the statement adds.
The issue of work-life balance is another significant concern. Workers are often required to work bank holidays and weekends, making it "impossible" to maintain a balanced family life. The situation is exacerbated by "highly strained" staffing levels, where even a single absence can create an "organisational nightmare."
Moreover, in workplaces operating throughout the day, split shifts mean some employees spend "12 or more hours daily tied to their job," which the union claims is unacceptable.
Faced with this situation, the CCOO has declared "enough is enough." While acknowledging their passion for the hospitality profession, union leaders insist they are forced to call on all sector workers to "halt activity and dignify their jobs and their lives."
The strike during such a critical holiday season is likely to have a significant impact on the tourism-driven economy of the Canary Islands.
