Mallorca’s subsidised nurseries face closure risk

Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, could lose nursery places for children aged 0 to 3: union USO warns on 5 November that without enough funding, subsidised nurseries may close and staff could lose their jobs. The warning covers publicly funded nurseries across the islands. USO says some are already considering leaving the funding scheme and operating privately instead.

In July, organisations representing the sector reached an initial agreement to bring nursery educators’ pay closer to parity. But it depends on the Balearic Islands’ Department of Education and Universities accepting the terms and setting the funding. The first financial effects were expected on 1 September. USO says the department has yet to offer enough money or make firm commitments.

The union wants a clear account of what these nurseries cost to run and a comparison with public nurseries under equivalent conditions for hours, ratios, staff and services. It says it is willing to negotiate, but wants a funding offer, a timetable and commitments that can be checked.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Education

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com