Lifeguards protest in Palma: Police remove symbolic crosses from the beach

Protest at Paseo Marítimo: Tensions rise, words are clear

On Sunday morning around 10:30 a.m., dozens of lifeguards gathered at the Paseo Marítimo, directly in front of the city beach Can Pere Antoni. The air was warm, about 28°C, and many passersby stopped to watch. It wasn't just about wages – it was about working conditions, fixed-term contracts, and a palpable concern for beach safety.

The demonstration was loud, but largely peaceful. Some colleagues held up signs, others placed several small wooden crosses in the sand – as a symbol of the risks they see daily. The local police removed these crosses still in the morning. That sparked anger among participants.

Why the crosses were a problem – and why they were placed

The union Unió Socorristes Balears (which belongs to CGT) says the crosses should point to the hazards that arise when staff are lacking or shifts are shortened. Christian Ezequiel Melogno, secretary-general of the association, said after the action that the crosses had not hindered anyone and were a legitimate sign. The police apparently see it differently and argued on-site on safety and order grounds.

An important point of contention are the so-called minimum services: The authorities had prescribed a 100 percent staffing level when the strike was announced. Practically, this meant that lifeguard posts had to remain staffed as required – and thus only colleagues who were already off duty could participate. This, according to Melogno, showed that there is not enough staff overall to meet all requirements.

Impact on the beaches

Sections in Palma and Calvià as well as parts of Ibiza (beaches in Sant Josep and Sant Antoni) were affected by the strike. There were hardly any traffic disruptions; the demonstrators mostly retreated to the beach but at times jumped onto the roadway when the light turned green — briefly causing unrest. Officially, the emergency services reported no major incidents.

Lifeguards demand, among other things, higher wages, permanent contracts, and greater use of tourism revenue for public services. Melogno compared possible staff reductions to the closing of a hospital — a drastic image, but one that shows how strongly the workers view the situation.

Whether the action will increase pressure on the regional government remains to be seen. Calls for the resignation of political leaders were voiced, notably against Prime Minister Marga Prohens. For many observers, the demonstration was above all a cry for help from everyday life: less applause, more planning and, above all, affordable living conditions for people who save lives for us on hot days.

I was at Paseo Marítimo, speaking with a young lifeguard who said: "We love the job, but this can't go on." Many here share this sentiment.