Cofib future in Mallorca assured as Natura Parc talks continue

The Balearic Government says the future of the Consorcio para la Recuperación de la Fauna de Baleares (Cofib) and its workforce is assured in Palma, Mallorca, despite uncertainty over a replacement agreement with the Natura Parc Foundation. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment made the statement on 17 August, following calls from the Workers’ Commissions union, CCOO, for assurances for staff before the current deal expires on 31 December.

Whether a new agreement is reached depends on Natura Parc’s response to the government’s latest proposal, the department said. If there is no progress during the week, the government plans to use an alternative arrangement to keep Cofib fully operational.

Talks and staffing proposals

The government has been working since February on renewing the agreement and bringing Cofib’s statutes into line with current rules. Meetings with Natura Parc and its legal representatives were held on 16 February, 19 and 23 May, and 22 June, while the works council met the administration on 20 May.

Its proposals included pay, social security contributions, training, work clothing, personal protective equipment and medical checks. The government said it accepted Natura Parc’s request for a higher uplift on personnel costs, as well as a higher sum for operating and using the wildlife recovery centre.

Dispute over premises rent

The remaining disagreement concerns an additional payment sought by Natura Parc for renting the existing facilities, which the administration considers unaffordable. A final offer was sent at the start of the previous week, but no reply had been received by 17 August.

Officials have examined public-management options and alternative premises should operations be unable to remain at the current site. They said the existing team’s experience would be retained for the future service, and staff are due to hear the government’s position at a meeting on Tuesday.

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Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com