Else Beekman
Ibiza is facing a severe housing shortage. Every summer, an influx of people arrives on the island seeking work in the tourism sector, making it increasingly difficult for residents and newcomers alike to find accommodation. As a result, many are left with no choice but to live in tents, vans, or even cars.
In August, InSpain.news wrote about the illegal settlement Can Rova being cleared. People with no place to live set up their improvised homes. They were expelled from their tents, caravans and slums. The inhabitants of these evicted settlements included restaurant cooks, waiters, hotel housekeepers, and airport baggage handlers. Contrary to what the massive police action led to believe, these were not people involved in illegal activities, but essential workers who came to Ibiza to earn a living and who ensured that the island’s bustling tourist season runs smoothly.
Mauro and his son evicted
Now, another heartbreaking example has drawn the attention of the Spanish media. El Periodico de Ibiza writes that Mauro and his 19-year old son were being forced out of their makeshift home. Mauro told the local newspaper that he was never shown a court order before their eviction, leaving them suddenly destitute.
Tent stolen after eviction
After their eviction, Mauro, who works as a lifeguard during summer, set up a tent on the same site where their previous shelter stood. However, shortly after it was erected, the tent was stolen. “A few days later, we found that the tent, along with all our belongings inside, had been taken,” Mauro explained. Despite reporting the theft to the police, they only received a call informing them that their mobile phones had been recovered. No further information was provided regarding the stolen tent. Among the missing items were warm clothing, important documents, and licences.
A new home in a bunker
Desperate for shelter, Mauro and his son discovered an abandoned bunker and turned it into their new home. They cleaned and disinfected the space, setting up two tents inside. To make it more comfortable, they even painted the tents. A separate area of the bunker was designated for cooking, where they installed a stove. The family relies on food aid from Cáritas, the Catholic Church’s charitable organisation in Spain, and the Red Cross.
Harassment and heavy fines
Mauro described ongoing harassment. One night, as he returned to the bunker, he noticed a car with its headlights on. “I got scared and tried to take a different route, but they got out of the car and shone flashlights in my direction. I hid in the bushes, but they searched for a long time,” he recalled. The experience triggered a severe anxiety attack, requiring medical assistance.
In another disturbing incident, Mauro found a man in camouflage watching him. When he confronted the man and asked if he was a police officer, the man confirmed but refused to identify himself. Mauro called the local police, but instead of addressing his concerns, they fined him between €300 and €600 for unauthorised camping and for using a barbecue, which was deemed a fire hazard.
Seeking a way out
Mauro hopes to renew his documents, find work, and save enough money to leave Ibiza. “Ibiza hasn’t treated us well. We came here to work, and we’ve worked from day one. But spending 90% of what we earn just to survive is unacceptable,” he said.
Also read: Ibiza: From hippie haven to playground for the rich, workers left behind