This week, Ibiza made headlines across local, regional, and national media with stories of displaced settlements. A week ago a heartbreaking judicial eviction of a makeshift residential area in Can Rova took place. People were expelled from their tents, caravans and slums. However, the people who had to urgently find somewhere else to live were not criminals or drug traffickers.
The inhabitants of these evicted settlements include restaurant cooks, waiters, hotel housekeepers, and airport baggage handlers. Contrary to what the massive police action led to believe, these are not people involved in illegal activities; instead, they are essential workers who come to Ibiza to earn a living. Among them are also members of the security forces in training, nurses, VTC and taxi drivers. These are the people who ensure that the island’s bustling tourist season runs smoothly.
They were unfortunate that this location was operated illegally by one of the owners, who charged different prices depending on the type of shelter – tent, caravan or other makeshift house. In total, more than 300 families lived on this site, paying between €250 and €400 per month. This gave the operator an income of approximately €90,000 per month. At its peak, the location housed more than a thousand people. The other owners of the plot sued this brother, which ultimately led to the eviction.
On the day of the eviction, there were still about 150 people, including 19 minors, in Can Rova. Most residents had already left for other camps on the island, such as Can Burgos or Sa Joveria, because they did not have access to regular housing in Ibiza.
Living conditions of seasonal workers
Many of these workers, along with their families, endure months of living in tents, shacks, caravans, and even makeshift cardboard shelters. Their hard work supports Ibiza’s tourism industry, yet they live in conditions far removed from the luxury enjoyed by the island’s visitors. The majority of tourists, and even some residents, are oblivious to this hidden aspect of Ibiza.
A call for sustainable solutions
According to Antonio Martínez Beneyto discussing these issues is not “tourism phobia” but a necessary acknowledgment that something is fundamentally wrong. Ibiza’s current state is unsustainable. There is an urgent need to address these problems and work towards sustainable solutions for the medium and long term. The island must strive to provide better living conditions for those who are the backbone of its tourism industry.
The struggle for adequate housing
As August begins, while many people start their holidays, hundreds of seasonal workers embark on a relentless search for a roof over their heads. This race for adequate housing highlights the urgent need for structural changes to ensure that those who support the island’s economy can live with dignity.