Workers' rights, collective agreements and cases of labor exploitation in Lanzarote, as in the rest of the country, concern us. And furthermore, they should concern us, regardless of our jurisdictional responsibility as an administration.
To detect and sanction irregularities in this matter, there are only two possible mechanisms: direct reporting by those who suffer them and labor inspection.
In the first case, it is outrageous but common to see how many workers ask their works council or union not to act, to avoid losing their jobs. As for the Inspection, it is the exclusive competence of the central government and therefore, it is up to Mariano Rajoy's executive to increase the number of inspectors in the Canary Islands.
In this scenario, the following question arises: What can we do about something that worries us but over which we cannot act directly?
In the last plenary session of the Cabildo, the Somos political group proposed the creation of a working table, a feasible political proposal as a space for debate but which proves ineffective for immediate response, especially in areas where the Cabildo has no powers.
For this reason, the socialist group rejected the motion, understanding that there is no debate about the injustices and exploitation suffered by workers.
Our alternative, supported by the rest of the government, offers concrete, achievable and useful measures within the framework of our competences. We will urge the Government of Spain to increase the number of labor inspectors on the island, in compliance and restoration of workers' rights.
In addition, the first Corporation will include social clauses in the contracting procedures that favor companies that guarantee their commitment to workers' rights; a distinctive that accredits this corporate social responsibility promoted by the Cabildo could also function as an incentive and public recognition.
These are the concrete and achievable proposals of the Socialist Party, according to our capacity to act and within the framework of our roadmap; from the conviction that the Cabildo must contribute to the search for solutions to existing problems, whether or not it has competences in the matter.
Ariagona González, PSOE councilor in the Cabildo of Lanzarote
