Tourism workers in the most popular Canary Island are getting ready to stage a mass walkout over poor working conditions and stagnant salaries
Brits flocking to the Canary Islands for a week of sun and tranquillity have been warned over fresh industrial action. With balmy temperatures of 22C, golden beaches, acclaimed water parks and cheap booze – the Spanish-owned archipelago is extremely popular during the Easter holidays.
However, earlier this month, huge coordinated protests were announced across the holiday hotspot – with a staggering 170,000 tourism workers willing to take to the streets. It comes just weeks after national protests over Spain’s escalating housing crisis – which locals argue is being fuelled by over-tourism.
Major unions including the Canaries’ Workers Commissions trade union (CCOO) and UGHT Canarias had scheduled mass walkouts – demanding better working conditions and pay increases. However, in a huge development announced earlier today, the protests have been ‘officially’ suspended in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
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New agreements will see staff receive a one-off €650 bonus as well as a nine per cent salary increase spread over the next 12 months. However, over in Tenerife – the most popular island in terms of international visitor numbers – no deal has been accepted.
According to Canarian Weekly, Manuel Fitas, a spokesperson for the Federación Sindical Canaria (FSC), branded the deal as ‘absolutely insufficient’. It follows ongoing fury from struggling workers who had their wages frozen throughout 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. As the holiday spot bounces back from the pandemic, workers still feel like they’re not profiting from the boost of tourism.
“Recovering just 2.75 per cent of lost purchasing power and locking in a four per cent wage increase without knowing how the economy will evolve for the remainder of 2025 falls short of our objectives,” Manuel added. Unless a ‘satisfactory proposal emerges’, it is thought tourism staff will walk out on April 17 and 18 – Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
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Per the Express, unions say they want to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike – but have urged Brits not to cancel their plans or ‘change their opinions’ of the Canary Islands. It is believed that many hotels will notify guests in advance to explain how the situation will impact them.
Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 15) a new offer will be presented to workers during a general assembly in Adeje. “The outcome of that meeting could determine whether the industrial action is extended or resolved in the coming days,” Canarian Weekly added.
Over recent months, anti-tourist sentiment has also escalated in the Canary Islands – with fed-up residents claiming holidaymakers are environmentally damaging their land, and pricing them out of the property market. A slew of protests erupted across the islands last year, armed with banners ordering tourists to ‘go home’.
In Tenerife, anti-tourist action has taken a violent turn – after a shocking sign threatening to ‘kill a tourist’ was spotted in the streets. Disturbing reports also emerged after anonymous activists went as far as setting fire to rental cars to get their message across.
Will you be impacted by the strikes? Email liam.gilliver@reachplc.com for a chance to share your story.
