Hotel Guadalpín Banús Employees Protest Against Closure Amid Legal Dispute
Employees of the Hotel Guadalpín Banús in Marbella, currently involved in a protracted legal battle, are staging ongoing protests to prevent the hotel’s closure and the potential job loss for 180 families. Over fifty employees assembled outside Marbella town hall on Monday 22 July, carrying banners with messages such as ‘Guadalpín isn’t closing’, ‘The tourism law isn’t just a piece of paper’, and ‘Mayor, we’re waiting for you’.
Employees’ Plea for Intervention
Jackeline Largacha, the representative of the employees, expressed their desperation, stating that they are running out of options. They are not asking for the law to be broken, but for the authorities to allow 80 to 90 percent of the workforce to continue working. This would require the reopening of the hotel services building, which is the core of the hotel’s operations. Largacha also called on Marbella town hall to intervene with the Junta de Andalucía in Malaga, which is responsible for enforcing the law. She emphasized that the building can only be used as a hotel and that they already have an operator in place.
Government Pledges Support
Félix Romero, the deputy mayor and government team spokesperson, met with the staff and assured them of the government’s full support. He promised to utilize all available municipal resources to find a solution. Romero stressed the importance of maintaining the function and services of tourist establishments and acknowledged the crucial role of the affected employees in building the town’s reputation for quality service.
Legal Steps Taken Amid Complex Situation
Romero acknowledged the complexity of the situation, with a judicial resolution already in place. He revealed that some legal steps have already been taken, even in court. He reiterated the government’s commitment to the workers, promising to mediate and find a solution within the current legal framework.
Furlough Scheme for Hotel Guadalpín Banús Employees
The entire workforce of the Hotel Guadalpín Banús is set to enter a furlough plan (ERTE) in the coming days. Largacha explained that without the necessary facilities, they cannot work. She emphasized the need for the authorities to listen to their pleas and reopen the facilities to save the jobs of the 180 families.
Employees Seek Compliance with Tourism Law
The employees have agreed with Grisoma, the company that operates the hotel, to fully enter the ERTE so that they can rotate and ensure that no one is completely left out while they fight to resolve their situation. Largacha stressed that the key to saving the 180 jobs is to make the common areas and the hotel services estate available to the operator. She insisted that they simply want the tourism law to be complied with and for their jobs to be preserved, regardless of the conflicts between the owners.
