They ask that the educational centers be closed for fear of the Blocus protest in Palma

PalmaThe Independent, Autonomous and Unitary Union (SIAU) has demanded that the Department of Education and Universities adopt urgent measures in light of the protests scheduled in Palma on October 30th and 31st. The trade union organization requests that in-person classes be preventively suspended at educational centers that may be affected by the demonstrations if the safety of the educational community cannot be guaranteed.

The union has registered an urgent request addressed to the Ministry, the Directorate General for Teaching Staff and Charter Schools, the Occupational Risk Prevention Service, the Educational Inspection, and the managements of IES Ses Estacions and IES Arxiduc Lluís Salvador. The objective is for the Administration to assess the possible risks and adopt protection measures for the teaching staff, non-teaching staff, and students.

SIAU's concern has increased after several commercial establishments in the center of Palma have begun to protect their storefronts and announce early closures given the possibility that incidents may occur during the protests. The union considers that this situation requires an immediate preventive response, especially in educational centers located near the areas where gatherings are called.

They demand an urgent risk assessment

In addition to the possible suspension of face-to-face classes, SIAU requests that non-essential activities be stopped during time slots in which safety cannot be adequately guaranteed. It also demands coordination with security forces and bodies and clear instructions for management teams, teaching staff, administration and services personnel, and families.

"If businesses in Palma are adopting extraordinary measures to protect their establishments and workers, we cannot accept that the educational community remains exposed to potential dangerous situations without a preventive assessment and appropriate protective measures," the union defends in the statement.

The organization reminds that the Occupational Risk Prevention Law obliges public administrations to protect the safety and health of workers and provides for action mechanisms in the face of situations of serious and imminent risk. Therefore, it demands that the Department of Education acts before possible incidents occur.

The union warns that it will demand accountability

SIAU asserts that the Administration has already been formally warned of the potential risks and gives notice that it will pursue legal action if damages occur which, according to the union, could have been avoided with appropriate preventive measures.

The organization also demands an express, urgent, and reasoned response from the Ministry before the start of any activities that may be affected. Furthermore, it reserves the possibility of undertaking the actions provided for in Article 21 of the Law on Prevention of Occupational Risks if it considers that there is a situation of serious and imminent risk and no action is taken.

The union clarifies that its request is not intended to question the right to demonstrate or to generate alarm, but rather to guarantee the safety of the educational community. As it argues, the right to demonstrate and the right to safety must be compatible.

For the moment, the statement includes SIAU's demands, but does not announce any decision from the Ministry regarding a potential suspension of classes. The union insists that prevention requires acting before incidents occur and demands that Education take immediate decisions.