If I had 1,000 euros for every Range Rover driving around Majorca I would be a rich man. Yes, we are lucky we live on a fantastic island with a very high standard of living, but it you scratch the surface you will discover that all is not well in paradise. In fact we have a big problem with poverty which is on the rise. Since the recession wages have fallen dramatically and many of the new jobs which have been created, according to the trade unions, are lowly paid.
It must be remembered that despite the end of the recession there is still a big unemployment problem on the islands and the levels of poverty continue to grow at an alarming rate. Even the Balearic government has come under fire from some quarters for not doing enough to squeeze higher wages for employees from the business community.
The Plaza España is a scenic part of Palma: home to the main bus station and sadly one of the biggest soup kitchens on the island. If you walk past early in the morning you would be startled at the long queues which form for food parcels. Yes, we live on a fantastic island with a great standard of living but this island is no longer cheap. Prices have risen dramatically but wages have fallen in the same period. For many it must be a nightmare scenario getting to the end of the month. The recession is over and companies are back earning money. The time has come for companies to pass on the increase in sales to their staff.