The Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), one of Spain’s most prominent trade unions, has voiced strong opposition to a proposal that would allow large shopping centres in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to open every Sunday.
The union argues that the move would harm workers' rights and undermine the survival of traditional smaller local businesses.
At the heart of the debate is the proposed expansion of the Zone of High Tourist Attraction (ZGAT), a designation that currently allows shops over 300 square metres to open on Sundays. The new plan would extend the ZGAT boundaries to include areas like Cabo Llanos, home to major malls and stores such as CC Meridiano, El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, MediaMarkt, CC Nivaria, and Aldi.
Large retailers in these areas have called for a municipal meeting to push for year-round Sunday trading rights. They argue the change would better serve tourists and boost the local economy. However, the UGT argues that the proposed liberalisation would disproportionately favour large retailers while placing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at a severe disadvantage.
In a statement, the UGT warned that the measure would not generate new employment as employers are struggling to find staff, but would instead worsen conditions for existing retail workers. The union cited concerns over heavier workloads, extended hours, and a lack of fair compensation, all of which could negatively impact work-life balance.
They also pointed to evidence from other cities, suggesting that extended hours rarely lead to increased overall consumption. Rather, they tend to consolidate consumer spending within large chains, leading to a decline in footfall for independent shops and traditional markets.
The union stressed that historic and iconic areas such as the Santa Cruz city centre and the Mercado Nuestra Señora de África are already under pressure and would be further marginalised by such a decision.
The union has called on local authorities to prioritise sustainable commerce and fair working conditions over short-term economic interests. It urged the government of Santa Cruz to reconsider the expansion of the ZGAT, warning that the long-term consequences for the city’s retail fabric and workforce could be severe.
