Teachers lead the outcry for housing in Formentera: "Having a job cannot condemn us to live in a pen"

FormenteraMore than a hundred people gathered today at 11:30 a.m. at the Plaza de la Constitución, responding to the call from teachers of the IES Marc Ferrer within the framework of the state-wide general strike day, held under the slogan 'Salary, housing and prices'.

Although the core driving group was the teaching staff, the protest gathered a wide range of profiles. Among those present were secondary school students, staff from the Formentera Hospital and the Council, as well as workers from sectors such as hospitality, services, crafts and music. The event began with a noisy protest using drums, pots and whistles in front of the church, where banners were displayed with slogans such as 'The season ends, the right to live does not', 'It is easier to find a mermaid than an affordable rent' or 'An empty house does not make a town'.

In addition, the gathering included a satirical display to denounce the conditions of the real estate market: a table with a sleeping bag on the floor and a toilet under the sign 'What else do you want?', next to a tent with the sign 'To rent from October to May, 1,800 euros'.

The teachers' manifesto: the impact on education

After 12 o'clock, several teachers took the floor to read a manifesto exposing the critical situation the group is experiencing on the island. The teachers remarked that the housing crisis does not only affect their personal lives, but also compromises the quality of public education.

The text denounces the collision between the school calendar (from September to June) and a real estate market oriented towards tourism: "We are subject exclusively to the economic voracity of the landlords, guided solely by speculation". This dynamic drives the teaching staff into temporary contracts that end in April or May, leaving them unprotected at the start of the tourist season.

Likewise, the group has criticized the lack of legal contracts – key factors for being able to register as a resident and access basic rights – and the undignified living conditions: "Spaces so small that, practically without getting out of bed, with one hand you can cook and with the other, take a shower. Many of these dwellings are not even studios, but authentic pens". Finally, they warned that financial aid from the Balearic Department of Education often ends up being absorbed by rent hikes by landlords, and they demanded real solutions: "Having a job should not condemn us to live in a pen, nor should working on this island mean giving up a dignified life".

Political reactions and voices from the street

The mobilization was attended by representatives of the island's opposition (Gent per Formentera and PSOE), as well as the candidate for the upper house for the upcoming November 29th elections, Neus Massanet (Formentera al Senat). For his part, the island's Minister of Housing, Artal Mayans, left the Council headquarters to speak with some of the attendees. In statements to Radio Illa, Mayans acknowledged the right to demonstrate for housing, although he questioned the timing of the call and pointed to the state government: "The right to housing must be guaranteed by the State, not by the owners. The government of Spain has proven to be inefficient and has harmed the situation".

In the square, the voices of the attendees reflected the widespread concern. A high school student took the microphone to say: "We don't want luxuries, we want a roof. With these rents, we are ending up on the street". Among the public, opinions coincided on the gravity of the moment: "There is absolute precariousness and the politicians, despite being in the front row, have never done anything", lamented one demonstrator, while another concluded that "whoever wins the elections, the people must be heard". Another man indicated that he has "the luck of having housing", but came to the square to "support the rest of the people who do not have any".

6 PM: demonstration in the square

At the end of the rally, a citizen took the microphone to remind everyone that this afternoon at 6:00 PM at the Constitution Square there is a second rally for the right to housing, organized by the feminist entity FIGA.