The Works Council of the Hotel Sol Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen and the Insular Union CCOO Lanzarote have denounced "massive layoffs" in the Meliá chain "under the excuse of the coronavirus".
In a statement, in which they show their rejection, they assure that "taking advantage of the social alarm created by the coronavirus, the company has dismissed more than 60 permanent employees in less than 72 hours, some with more than 20 years of service", many of them also "with ages of very difficult reincorporation into the labor market."
"These selective dismissals have no real justification, the occupancies are not so low and there are also other less aggressive alternatives for the workforce", they point out in a statement.
In addition, they consider that "putting more than 60 dismissals of workers, who have spent half their lives in this company, on the table does not convey any tranquility to its investors, clients and workers."
"Intimidate" the workers and "benefit from the aid"
For CCOO and the Works Council of the Hotel Sol Lanzarote, the "huge amounts of money destined to pay for dismissals could be used to face these difficulties and even to maintain employment, if the workers were really important to the 'Great Meliá family'."
However, they believe that "this business action aims to intimidate workers" and "benefit from state public funds with the excuse of the coronavirus."
"In the great family that Meliá preaches, it is always the workers who pay for their crises, real and fictitious. In times of prosperity, full hotels, astronomical income statements and outrageous salaries for senior managers. Meanwhile, for the workers, reduced staff, unjustified dismissals and benefits that never arrive," they add.
Finally, the Works Council and CCOO warn that they will be "attentive" to all the actions carried out by the company, stating that they will take "measures according to them." They also point out that the company has already been asked to comply with stability in employment, of 60% of permanent staff.
