Unions call for review of Canary Islands tourist model

Trade unions have called for a report that will assess the relation between the tourism product on the Canary Islands and the spending power of the population.

Gonzalo Álvarez of the USO union indicated that the economic activity generated by tourism had not led to improved working conditions for those who work in the tourist sector, and that they are also affected by the housing crisis.

Carmen Marrero of the CCOO said that economic advances should go hand-in-hand with social advances and called on the Canarian Government to address the concerns expressed by tens of thousands of demonstrators over the past weekend. She said that “We keep hearing that 35% of our economy is generated by tourism, yet we earn some of the lowest wages in Spain.” 

Manuel Navarro of the UGY congratulated the demonstrators and said, “There is no tourist phobia on the island; but there is concern about the model of tourism.”