Balearic Islands: 708,700 in work, union warns on poverty

In Palma, Mallorca, a record 708,700 people in work across the Balearic Islands brings a warning from the UGT union: economic success has not brought the reforms it says are needed to prevent poverty, insecure work and a lack of access to housing. The figure covers July to September. UGT set out its concerns on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

Employment rises as unemployment falls

The third-quarter labour force survey shows 5.3 per cent more people in work than in the same period last year. Unemployment fell by 16.3 per cent to 34,400 people, while the number of people working or looking for work also rose.

Union calls for change

Pedro Homar, UGT’s general secretary in the Balearic Islands, says the economic model has not changed to tackle seasonal work. He wants higher wages, shorter working hours and changes that would make dismissals without proper grounds harder and more expensive.

Homar also says the survey and registered unemployment figures do not support the far right’s claims about the effects of regularising migrants’ status. He rejects blaming migrants for wider problems.

Topics: Jobs & labour

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com