The veranda of the Consolat de Mar hosted a Monday gathering with government leaders, trade unions, and the Hotels Federation as they unveiled a new methodology to measure the workload of hotel housekeepers in the Balearic Islands. The initiative, described as a milestone by its advocates, aims to quantify tasks in a way that could place the region at the forefront of national practice. More than 20,000 workers are expected to benefit from the change. The discussion began with a remark from President Francina Armengol, who noted that women in this sector often bear a triple burden.
Beyond the plea that prompted the meeting—referred to as a historic claim—the socialist leader underscored that measuring workloads in hospitality and applying the tool would cement the Balearic Islands’ leadership role on a national scale. The delegation emphasized the personal and professional stakes involved: as some pointed out, the profession’s physical demands, alongside concerns about occupational health, justify a system that protects workers from disease linked to their daily tasks. The message from Sara, Cristina, and others resonated with Armengol: it is unfair for workers to develop occupational ailments because of their duties.
Armengol described the approach as “very detailed, rigorous, and scientific,” and she projected benefits beyond safety, noting improved physical and mental health as contracts are renewed. The policy is already being piloted and is expected to be implemented across companies during the current season.
There is still more work to be done on occupational diseases, the President told a crowd of hotel staff, with a special nod to chambermaids who often face the sharpest workloads.
Ruben Castro, the secretary general at the Ministry of Economic Model, Tourism and Labor, presented the work of the Balearic Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (Ibassal). He framed the tool as the product of dialogue, broad consensus, and rigorous technical effort, noting that more than fifty companies have already engaged in the process.
How will it work?
Under the plan, hotels will form workgroups within each establishment, bringing together staff, unions, and representatives from the occupational risk prevention service. The analysis will map the range of tasks performed by Kellys, considering room type, routes, whether tasks involve guest departures or routine cleaning, and the presence of equipment such as elevator beds. Castro explained that consensus would decide how safe the new workflow will be, with cleaning times averaged to determine a maximum health load that aligns with the hotel type. Early adopters are already testing the method in parts of the north of Mallorca and Cala Millor.
Minister Iago Negueruela added that every workplace will see the effort required for room and bathroom cleaning weighed, along with the physical toll of bending, lifting, and repetitive motions. The framework will cap the load based on the number of rooms in each hotel, with a clear aim: protecting workers’ health before any adverse effects occur. The government emphasizes that it is essential to balance tourism growth with safe, sustainable work conditions.
Maria Jose Aguiló, executive vice president of the Majorca Hotel Management Federation, opened the discussion by acknowledging a broad circle of experts who contributed to the methodology. She framed the plan as a practical guide designed to disseminate best practices across departments, reduce accident rates, and bolster occupational health. Aguiló stressed that this is not about standardization for its own sake but about adapting work to the realities of each moment. She highlighted two priorities: recognizing occupational diseases and enabling earlier retirement when appropriate.
“Pepper ignorance”
UGT’s Jose Garcia Relucio urged Armengol to secure another term, framing the tourism law as a product of social dialogue. He pointed out that the policy affects many roles beyond chambermaids, including waitstaff, cafeteria workers, and bar staff, all of whom will require evaluation as the program expands. He warned that much work remains to bring the mechanism into action and used the occasion to advocate for reforms that support workers while maintaining industry vitality. Critics of rising bed counts were described as expressing “pepera ignorance,” a reminder that the plan will face political as well as practical challenges.
Silvia Montejano, representing CCOO, added that the initiative started with chambermaids and will spread to all functional areas. She affirmed that measurements will take place across work centers and expressed pride that the Balearic Islands have become a leading laboratory for protecting workers’ health. Montejano also called for timely recognition of occupational diseases and supported earlier retirement for those affected.