The Balearic Islands are advancing on their path towards the development of a new model of sustainable tourism that promotes social cohesion. The hospitality sector is a key player in the Balearic economy and in this paradigm shift it is essential. Improving employment in this sector allows progress in competitiveness, economic efficiency and the quality of life of citizens.
Tourism represents the main wealth-generating industry in the Balearic Islands, which is at the forefront of this transition towards sustainability. Sustainable tourism activity combines the creation of economic wealth with social justice and quality employment. In this context, social dialogue between economic and social agents is essential.
The Balearic Islands is an example of the importance of consensus among the main social agents to advance labor and social improvements. An outstanding example is found in the II tripartite agreement for the quality of employment in the hotel industry. Part of this social dialogue between unions and employers, with the participation of the Balearic Government as a mediator, through the Ministry of Economic Model, Tourism and Labor, has been reflected in the collective agreement for this sector for the period 2023-2025.
Advances in the Balearic hospitality industry
The consensus achieved between trade union and business organizations in the Balearic Islands for the improvement of the hospitality sector has become a benchmark for other territories in which tourism and hospitality are a key part of their economies.
One of the main advances included in the new agreement is a salary increase of 8.5% in two years. But beyond the Salary improvements include notable progress in the quality of work, mainly for housekeeperswho have claimed for years better working conditions.
The agreement reached between the Balearic Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IBASSAL), the unions and the business organizations involved will allow hotel establishments to apply a methodology to measure and control the workloads of this group.
Improvements for workers
The adaptation of the measures to reconcile personal, family and work life to current European regulations also represents an improvement in the quality of life for the group of workers in the hotel sector.
The social dialogue has resulted in an agreement for the improvement of occupational health of workers in the hospitality sector. A commission will act against the accident rate, promoting occupational health and will monitor the application of measures to reduce workloads for housekeepers. In this sense, the hiring of more occupational risk prevention technicians specialized in ergonomics will mean great progress for the quality of employment of these workers who have a prominent role in the hospitality sector.
In parallel, during the two years that the agreement is in force, a working group will be created between the catering and leisure employers together with the unions to analyze the specific problems of this sector. The Balearic Islands is a pioneer in the constitution of an organization with these characteristics that will help create quality employment.
The broad and unanimous negotiation between the hotel employers; the associations of bars, cafeterias and restaurants together with the Association of Leisure and Entertainment and the union organizations, guarantees a greater degree of compliance in all the agreed points both for the collective agreement and in the tripartite agreement reached with the support of the Balearic Government, through the Ministry of Economic Model, Tourism and Work.
Sustainable economic growth
The tourist activity has strongly contributed to the economic growth of 13% registered in 2022 in the Balearic Islands, rates well above the national average leading the recovery in the rest of the country. This development has been reflected in full employment with a prominent role in the hospitality sector. This sustainable model in employment and working conditions result in greater social welfare on the islands.