Mallorca general strike calls for 50% rent cut
Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, faces a general strike on 11 November as unions and housing groups demand rents fall by at least 50%. They say high housing costs and insecure pay make a decent life impossible across the islands. The groups filed advance notice of the strike with the Balearic government on Wednesday, 28 October.
Why the groups are joining forces
The alliance brings together unions including UGT, CCOO, CGT and CNT with housing groups PAH Mallorca and Sindicat de Llogateres de Mallorca. Pedro Homar, UGT’s general secretary in the Balearics, called their decision to join forces historic.
Housing is at the heart of their case. The groups say rents have risen while wages leave people struggling to make ends meet. Celeste Rodríguez of the Sindicat de Llogateres de Mallorca also argues that overcrowded, uncontrolled tourism is worsening housing and living costs.
What they want to change
Alongside the rent cut, the groups want open-ended tenancy agreements, a halt to evictions and the expropriation of homes owned by banks and investment funds.
Rodríguez has urged people to organise in neighbourhoods, towns and workplaces ahead of the strike. The groups are calling on the public to take part on 11 November.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com