The marine cages of Playa Quemada have their days numbered. The company Dimagaza, in charge of exploiting the activity, announced last Wednesday, January 18, its closure and the implementation of an Employment Regulation File (ERE) that will generate the dismissal of 50 workers.
The general secretary of the UGT union in Lanzarote, César Reyes, explained in an interview on Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero that at no time, on the part of the Government of the Canary Islands, has an alternative been given to the affected employees: "There has only been talk of the closure, but at no time has the labor situation that would be detached from that been addressed."
This, in his opinion, represents "another failure generated by trying to diversify the economy", since although he recognizes that the administration has "favorable circumstances" for not having renewed the license due to technical causes, it had to have given "a job alternative" redirecting these people "to other sectors through training programs".
An expired concession with no prospect of renewal
As Reyes has reported, the aquaculture exploitation entity had the intention of "continuing with the activity, increasing its investments and improving hiring", however, "they do not have the administrative capacity to continue."
Dimagaza operated trying to renew an administrative concession granted in 2000 to Yaizatun for 20 years. However, due to its environmental impact, and although the firm was aware for some years that this license was expired and would not be updated, "no thought has been given to offering a transition period to workers who have been dedicating a decade to this activity."
Negotiation period started
Currently, the negotiation period between the union, the company and the administration has begun, a "crucial" moment to see what the future of the 50 affected people will be, who do not have the possibility of being transferred to other companies in the group, since it only operates with cages.
The workers in ERE situation continue to develop their activity, which will not cease until an agreement is reached. This period could be extended "for a month at least", the secretary detailed.
