PSOE Spokesperson Calls for Changes to Drought Decree
Víctor Navas, the spokesperson for the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in the Commonwealth of the Western Costa del Sol, has announced a motion to be presented at the upcoming Assembly. The motion calls for urging the Regional Government of Andalusia to amend the Drought Decree, which Navas deems “discriminatory”, in order to distribute water resources in a “more equitable, responsible, and coherent” manner.
Proposal for Aid Package to Mitigate Economic Losses
The proposal also requests that the regional administration implement an aid package to alleviate the effects resulting from economic losses and job cuts caused by the measures taken. Navas points out that due to the water shortage situation, the Regional Government has imposed a series of restrictions that are “discriminatory”, completely preventing usage in some areas, which directly harms businesses and self-employed individuals.
Impact on Various Sectors
Specifically, Navas referred to the ban on irrigation and filling of swimming pools in homeowners’ communities and private properties. This affects sectors such as garden and pool maintenance, nurseries, lifeguard services, and tourist apartments, among others. He detailed that the gardening sector has been unable to water since October, leading to the loss of their green and tree heritage, “except those located in hotel areas, which are allowed to water”.
Significant Reduction in Revenue
As for companies dedicated to pool maintenance, they are experiencing a “70% reduction in billing”, as the measures have coincided with the start of the season, leading to “significant economic losses and job cuts”. In the plant sales sector, such as nurseries, their sales “have dropped by 30%” and now the high season is starting, so the outlook is very negative.
Challenges for Lifeguard Services and Tourist Apartments
Problems also arise for lifeguard companies, which only operate in the summer and “have no prospects of being able to start the season, with all that implies”. Lastly, the socialist spokesperson mentioned tourist apartments, which are already feeling “the ravages of the Regional Government’s measures” in a type of accommodation that accounts for almost 60% of the tourism that comes to the province of Malaga.
Job Cuts and Cancellations
As a result of the cuts proposed by the Regional Government’s drought committee, jobs in all these sectors “have been severely reduced” and layoffs are occurring, in addition to cancelling the usual hiring for the summer season. Therefore, the PSOE, fully aware of the water shortage situation, believes it is necessary to “modify” measures they describe as “drastic” so that companies do not have to close or take on debts that jeopardize their continuity.
