The Association of Metal Processors of Las Palmas (Transmetal), associated with Femepa, has warned that more than 50 percent of aluminum carpentry workshops in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are "illegal." The report on clandestine operations prepared by that association details that in Lanzarote there are up to 40 illegal workshops, compared to the 35 that comply with the law.
In the case of Fuerteventura, there are 30 legal and 30 illegal workshops, with the rate of clandestine operations at 50 percent, according to Femepa in a statement. Regarding the island of Gran Canaria, the percentage of clandestine operations is 33 percent, with 155 legally registered workshops and 52 illegal ones.
Femepa reports that "this situation represents an economic loss of 6 million euros per year in taxes for the public administration due to the clandestine activity of metal carpentry workshops, locksmiths, welding workshops and others."
Affected by the crisis
The Association recalls that the evolution of these activities has been linked to that of the construction sector, so it is "suffering the consequences of the sharp decline in activity due to the crisis in the real estate market."
In this regard, they point out that while the sector's activity has been redirected towards the domestic consumer profile, "a significant number of activities hidden from the eyes" of the competent public administration have also "proliferated." And that, according to Femepa, "does not contribute in any way to the economy of the archipelago, but generates a submerged economy that damages the social system to which all legal companies and workers contribute in the same way as in other sectors."
Therefore, they explain that with this report they intend to inform companies to promote, together with the other associations integrated in Femepa and linked to the campaign against clandestine operations, with the slogan '2013, Femepa against Clandestine Operations', the "immediate and effective action of the competent public administration, as well as the awareness of the final consumer."
In addition, the association also warns of another danger of this activity being carried out clandestinely, since it has "intrinsic environmental obligations", related to the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere and the generation of waste that needs to be properly managed.