Mallorca's main waste disposal and treatment plant is Son Reus in Palma. Operated by Tirme, employees at the unloading facilities are from Palma Town Hall's municipal services company Emaya. The CCOO union at Emaya is denouncing what it has described as the "extremely precarious" situation at these facilities.
The union says there are "serious occupational health risks" from the conditions at the plant. "Repeated communications" regarding these have been submitted by workers' representatives through internal channels. However, the union claims that "the company's management has systematically ignored these warnings, maintaining a situation that borders on critical levels of unsanitary conditions".
According to the union, the most serious issues relate to the receiving pits. These are said to be overflowing, "preventing safe and efficient waste management". This situation is aggravated by the accumulation of leachate - highly polluting liquids from decomposing waste.
"Continued exposure to these spills, without adequate control measures, poses a direct biological risk to the workforce. The combination of organic waste, stagnant water, and the lack of thorough cleaning in areas where machinery and personnel circulate is creating a potential breeding ground for infections and environmentally related illnesses." The union adds that there is also "evident deterioration of the facilities".
Union representatives are critical of a lack of response from Emaya, warning it will take the necessary measures "if the company does not take urgent action".
The town hall says Emaya is documenting the situation, but points out that the facilities the union is referring to do not belong to Emaya, but to Tirme. Nevertheless, the union is insisting that "Emaya should have established a safety protocol, which does not exist, and ensure the safety of its workers". "The employees belong to the municipal company, and there is no plan in place to protect their well-being."
Tirme has responded by releasing videos recorded in recent days which show the facilities to be in good conditions. Images used the union, the company says were "old". "The maintenance carried out is appropriate, both preventive and corrective. The facilities are not obsolete; they are in perfect working order and have been regularly inspected.
"There is no exposure to spills, nor is there any stagnant water. Management has no record of Emaya workers having recently submitted complaints regarding the condition of the pits. This area is used by Tirme workers and employees of various service users who unload waste, including municipal company employees. The occupational health and safety departments of both companies, Emaya and Tirme, are perfectly coordinated regarding workplace risk prevention."