Mallorca public contracts: MÉS seeks jobs over price

MÉS wants Mallorca’s public contracts to do more than secure the lowest price. At the Consell de Mallorca plenary in Palma on 8 September, the party tabled a motion for a responsible, local purchasing plan covering works, services and supplies.

The island council handles contracts worth millions of euros each year, MÉS says. Its proposal argues that this spending can have a bigger effect on Mallorca’s economy and society.

The proposed plan would build social, employment, environmental and quality standards into contracts awarded by the Consell de Mallorca and its public-sector bodies. It would aim to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses and social economy organisations to bid, while promoting stable, quality jobs and, where a contract allows it, locally produced goods.

MÉS spokeswoman Catalina Inés Perelló said public purchasing should not be seen as “only buying at the lowest price”. She said the council’s spending should strengthen businesses rooted in Mallorca and create a greater social and environmental return.

The motion also calls for criteria on circular economy measures, cutting waste, energy efficiency, workers’ rights, equality between women and men, and citizens’ language rights in services delivered by council contractors.

The Consell would present the plenary with a yearly report on how far the plan had been applied and on its social, economic and environmental results. Perelló said the council must buy well, but also buy responsibly.

Topics: Environment · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com