The business associations of the island have met to analyze "possible solutions to the conflict that is generating the closure of the Tourist Centers at a crucial moment of the year" and have asked for "responsibility", in a joint statement signed by Asolan, Aetur, the CEL, the Chamber of Commerce, the Arrecife taxi cooperative and the North and South taxi cooperative. According to the employers of the island, "it is estimated that, in just one week, the economic losses already exceed one million euros only in the entrances to the Centers".
In addition, they add that "the damage is greater, since to this money we must add what the numerous companies and self-employed workers who live on the traffic generated by the activity of the centers are losing", such as "taxis, guides, restaurants, buses, car rentals, etcetera".
"The representatives of the economic sectors understand and respect the right to strike of the workers, however, they do not accept the aggressiveness with which it is taking place, since in similar cases the strikes occur intermittently to facilitate spaces for dialogue and negotiation and not indefinitely, causing the collapse and seriously affecting other self-employed workers, who do not get paid if they do not work", they point out in a joint statement. In addition, they state that "this position is surprising, when the working conditions of the workers of the centers far exceed those of the Hospitality labor agreements in the Canary Islands".
As a result of the meeting held between the companies and self-employed represented in the business associations, they state that "it has been decided to create an alternative program of excursions and visits to other centers of tourist interest that are not included in the CACT, in order to counteract the effects of the strike, maintain economic activity and compensate for that frustration generated by not being able to meet the expectations of an entire year in the vacation destination".
On the other hand, they explain that "it has been unanimously determined to ask for responsibility and coherence from all political parties, which in their stages of government have suffered similar strikes, to facilitate possible agreements between the parties".
