There is a threat of a bathing ban on the beaches of Palma de Mallorca in mid-July. The reason for this is a strike called by the lifeguards on the Balearic island. They demand higher wages and better working conditions. If their demands remain unheard, the beaches should be cordoned off.
Mallorca’s lifeguards are said to have protested so loudly that hotel guests complained. Her concern is of great importance: The lifeguards on the Mediterranean island, which is particularly popular with German and British holidaymakers, complained on Thursday in the Plaza de Cort in Palma de Mallorca about their working conditions and their salary. And that could not only cause trouble for the surrounding hotel guests.
Only 1000 euros gross per month despite full-time employment – despite the palm tree backdrop, it doesn’t seem to be a dream job. The union of lifeguards, which was only founded last year, is therefore taking industrial action and threatening to go on strike.
The popular beaches in Palma could then remain closed on July 16 – tourists are threatened with a compulsory bathing ban. If the union’s demands are not met by then, the lifeguards will stop working.
Last minute offers with up to 50% discount
The lifeguards complain about the excessive workload. Instead of the legally required 400 meters of beach per rescue tower, the lifeguards have to monitor a total of two kilometers on average. In addition to better pay, they also demand an increase in monitoring times to twelve hours. The lifeguards are currently only on duty between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
In the past season, there were three swimmer deaths, all avoidable, union spokesman Christian Velaño was quoted as saying by the Ultimahora newspaper. The season is to be extended from Easter to October and the rescue towers are to be modernized.
The contracts with the city of Palma, which stipulate particularly favorable conditions, are also a problem. Mayor José Hila admits that better pay is necessary, but that the municipal budget must also be respected.
With banners on the watchtowers and body bags in the sand, the lifeguards have been drawing attention to the precarious situation for several weeks. The lifeguards are currently operating at a minimum – a strike would paralyze almost all publicly guarded beaches in Palma.
A 68-year-old Austrian woman died on Friday after a shark attack in the tourist region of Hurghada in Egypt. Sunday it was announced that there had been a second deadly shark attack. It is said to have been the same animal.
A tour group was stranded at Palma de Mallorca airport for 36 hours. The 140 vacationers are waiting for their return flight to Düsseldorf, but it is almost two days late. The reason for the delay is sad because: The crew cannot continue working due to a medical emergency.
In a massive glacier break in Italy, several mountaineers were hit by ice, snow and rock masses. The region’s rescue agency says that seven people died. Eight people were injured and others are being sought. Two Germans are also among the injured.