The textile strike closes stores of big brands in Palma and Ibiza

PalmaThe strike called last Saturday in the textile and footwear sector has had an impact in the Balearic Islands and has led to the closure of several large chain stores in Palma and Ibiza. The protest, driven by UGT within a state-wide call, rejects the preliminary agreement of the new state collective agreement promoted by the employers' association ARTE and signed with CCOO and Fetico.

In Palma, around 200 people gathered on Passeig del Born with banners and chants against what they consider a cut in labor rights. During the mobilization, critical messages against the new agreement and against large companies in the sector were seen.

According to the union, the work stoppage has particularly affected establishments of major brands such as Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Oysho, Mango and Massimo Dutti. In some cases, the stores have not opened and in others they have opened, but with reduced staff and restricted areas.

UGT warns that the future state agreement could allow large companies to decouple from regional agreements, such as that of the Balearic Islands, where more favorable labor conditions are currently maintained. The union assures that this could affect issues such as salaries, holidays, benefits for sick leave, and the conditions of permanent-seasonal workers.

Among the criticisms, they also warn that a sales assistant could go from earning about 21,000 euros annually to just over 18,000, in addition to a reduction in benefits for working on Sundays and public holidays.