Workers Unite: Housekeeping Staff Protest for Better Working Conditions at Hotel Chatur Costa Caleta
In a spirited demonstration held on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, approximately fifteen workers gathered at the entrance of the Hotel Chatur Costa Caleta in Caleta de Fuste, Antigua. This protest was aimed at highlighting the excessive workload endured by the housekeeping staff, primarily comprised of around twenty women employed at the establishment. For quite some time, these diligent workers have been pressing for an updated ergonomic study, the last of which, they claim, dates back to 2016. “It’s outdated, and furthermore, it is not being enforced,” they lamented.
Long-standing Concerns
Speaking to La Voz de Fuerteventura on Radio Insular, the workers expressed their frustrations regarding the lack of progress made since they first approached management about their concerns in December. Until recently, negotiations between the staff representatives and the hotel management were reportedly “in extremis,” with the goal of reaching an agreement that ultimately never materialized.
The company’s committee of representatives has pointed out that the workload intensifies significantly on Mondays and Fridays. During these days, housekeeping staff are faced with increased cleaning duties but are expected to maintain the same timeframe, resulting in immense pressure that impacts their health directly. “They’re using all the allotted time to finish their tasks,” they warned, indicating that this often leads to employees sacrificing their breaks to meet the imposed workload demands.
Proposed Solutions and Management’s Response
To address these concerns, union representatives have proposed a solution: reducing the number of rooms that staff are responsible for cleaning, particularly on high-demand days. This measure is viewed as both viable and necessary to prevent injuries and work-related absences. Yet the management’s response has been limited, suggesting instead that a new ergonomic study be conducted—a timing that staff do not find satisfactory. They argue that if properly administered, completion of such a study could take six to ten months, prolonging a situation that is already critical and could worsen with the upcoming tourist season.
Faissal Ellatifi, one of the protesters, emphasized the concern that delaying action will not solve fundamental issues that have become structural. As tourism increases in the coming months, this could exacerbate already challenging working conditions for the housekeeping staff at the Caleta de Fuste facility.
The Protest Continues
Despite the management’s reluctance to issue public statements, they have pledged to meet with the affected workers within ten days, as noted by Ellatifi. However, the absence of a concrete agreement has prompted staff to announce that they will continue their weekly protests outside the hotel while also considering further actions. These may include filing grievances with the Labor Inspectorate, should immediate remedial measures not be implemented.
Importantly, the workers have indicated that their grievances extend beyond the current issues, though they recognize the urgency of addressing the immediate concerns regarding workload and health. As the situation develops, it remains critical to remain attentive to the challenges faced by those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the hospitality industry.
