Happiness at work - not in Murcia

WORKERS in the Murcia Region are amongst the unhappiest in their jobs.

According to the IV Adecco Happiness at Work Survey, last year the region recorded the highest increase rate in Spain for disgruntled workers with 14.8 per cent more employees saying they were fed up at work.

The Balearics fell 9.4 per cent, Cantabria fell 3.2 per cent and the Canary Island’s rates fell 1.1 per cent.

At the other extreme are those who lead the ranking with Navarre’s workers holding higher levels of happiness. Behind them are Asturias, Extremadura and employees in the Basque country.

The professionals who declared themselves happiest in their work in 2013 were firefighters, teachers, journalists, pharmacists and engineers, although those questioned believed that the happiest in their jobs are artists, footballers, athletes in general and archaeologists.

According to the Adecco survey, the key to being happy at work is enjoying the work done (38.8 per cent) having a good working environment (17.5 per cent) followed by wages and job security.

Torrevieja town hall to get a modern overhaul

PLANS for the renovation of Torrevieja Town Hall have been on public display for consultation.

The Internal Reform Plan (PRI) has been drawn up by the municipal technical services and aims to set the conditions for planning and building of the outbuildings to the current Town Hall on the facade facing the Plaza de la Constitution.

Councillor for Town Planning, Francisco Moreno said the plans will allow the opening and construction of new spaces whilst giving the building a more “modern and avant-garde” feeling.

New law passed to control symbols in Balearic Islands

A NEW law that controls regional symbols has come into force in the Balearic Islands.

Any symbol representing a town or country will now only be displayed in public buildings with the authorisation of the regional government.

In addition, those symbols that have in their design any reference to political parties, trade unions, business associations or other entities will be banned from these buildings.

The regional government passed the regulation in order to guarantee the “neutrality and objectivity” of the public services it offers.

Some consider this a clear reference to the banners and Senyera or Catalan flags being hanged in public schools to protest against the government’s language policy in education.

In fact, many schools decided to remove any symbol from their façades in order to avoid possible fines, which could amount to up to €10,000.

Some others, including those in Menorca, have decided to continue displaying these symbols as their councils declared them of local interest.

Meanwhile, opposition political parties have expressed their rejection of the law, claiming it goes against freedom of speech.

The government, however, claims this law doesn’t put an end to freedom of speech as both are compatible.

Looking for ways to help local fishermen

THE Junta de Andalucia is looking for ways to help local shellfish fishermen that had to remain tied up in port due to a red tide that started last summer.

The regional Fishing representative, Elena Viboras, met Fishing General Manager from the national government, Margarita Perez, to deal with the matter.

They were meeting the petition of the Malaga Fishermen’s guild, which asked the authorities to take action to help the hundreds of families affected.

During the meeting, Viboras pointed out at boats going to nearby fishing grounds not affected by the tide as a possible solution to the problem.

European Union regulations prevent the harvesting of shellfish when red tide affects the fishing waters. The reason is that the algal bloom may produce poisons that are absorbed by shellfish. When eaten, infected shellfish can cause severe poisoning and even death.

More than 400 Malaga families depend on the 150 boat fleet, with La Caleta port in Velez-Malaga, the Fuengirola and the Estepona ports being the most affected.