Unions and employers urge the government to solve the lack of housing for workers

The unions and employers' associations in the Canary Islands, are urging the regional government to intervene and take measures to alleviate the problem of the lack of available rental housing for workers, and the high prices in the tourist areas of the islands which is meaning the sector can’t find workers to fill job vacancies, despite an unemployment rate close to 20%.

The president of the tourist association of Lanzarote (ASOLAN), Susana Pérez, has spoken out, claiming that Lanzarote is one of the islands most affected by the problem. She says, there are many cases of people who want to go to work but can’t, as they can’t find anywhere to live.

The return of tourism following the pandemic is aggravating a problem that the archipelago has been suffering slowly for several years, according to the secretary general of the Grassroots Union, Manuel Fitas.

According to Fitas, many workers from other countries left the islands during the pandemic and returned home due to no income from "zero tourism." Now they want to come back but they can't. Many of the properties have turned into holiday rentals, meaning there are less places available and there has been a sharp increase in prices. ”Owners are asking for more than 800 euros a month. It is over half the salary,” says Fitas.

The lack of housing is also discouraging people who live on the islands. As he points out, rotas and split shifts of work in the tourism sector need people to live close to their place of employment, something that right now is impossible.

“Salaries are not bad in the tourism and hospitality sectors. A waiter can earn an average of 1,500 euros a month with tips, but many cannot take the job, particularly in hotels, because they have to be there from 7:30am to 11am and then from 6pm to 10pm. Who can face four journeys to and from work with six hours in between, especially with fuel prices and traffic as it is?” asks Fitas.

AVERAGE RENTAL PRICES IN THE MAIN TOURIST AREAS OF THE ISLANDS:
GRAN CANARIA: 935 euros is the average rental price of a 55 square metre apartment in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The price per square metre has risen 18.5% in just a year.

FUERTEVENTURA: 825 euros per month is the average rental price for a property in La Oliva. In the last year, the price per square metre has shot up 35%, according to Idealista.

LANZAROTE: In Playa Blanca, the average price of a 55sqm apartment is 700 euros per month, but it is almost impossible to find one due to the lack of availability.

TENERIFE: The price per square metre in Adeje is almost 14 euros, after increasing by 31.3% in just one year. A small apartment is now 770 euros per month.

More workload and worse service:
The lack of housing and the consequent lack of employees in the sector is translating into an overload of work in bars and restaurants. “Tourism has recovered. Tourists are arriving but there is no staff. This means more workload for those who are there, and leads to a worse service” says Fitas. “Something must be done quickly to stop these unregulated rentals.”