The Mayor of Almuñécar, Juanjo Ruiz Joya, has put in a request to the Central Government to allow him to increase employees' salaries by 25%, bless his cotton socks.

This generous request, made through the provincial representative’s office did say that it was to be implemented over three years: 8% in 2025, 8% in 2026 and 9% in 2027. This means an extra 2,871,000 euros from the Central Government.

The reason for this, he explained was that town-hall employees in other municipalities of similar character, were paid more, so he wanted to be level with them when it came to dosh being handed out.

Mayor Ruiz Joya explained that after handling several requests to be transferred to other town halls, or to take unpaid leave in order to pursue other economic activies, not to mention constant moaning about salaries, the Head of Personnel, Mari Carmen Martín Orce, drew up a report and presented him with it.

The other municipalities that were compared with Almuñécar were Motril, Albolote, Baza, Granada, Atarfe, Maracena, Ronda, Nerja, Antequera, Torrox, Alhaurín de la Torre and Rincón de la Victoria.

Readers’ might have noticed that Almuñécar is neither similar in population nor local economy orientation and comparing Almuñécar to Granada…

The Mayor concluded with, “the lack of personnel, the difficulties in finding people to cover vacancies, the discontent amongst the staff and qualified workers leaving to go to other town halls (where they can find up to 50% more in salaries), needs to be remedied as soon as possible.”

Editorial comment: I had difficulty, whilst composing this article, seeing my computer screen through tears… Perhaps, those discontented workers should try their hands at being an autónomo: 24/7 working hours and no paid holidays!

(News/Noticias: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)