Adjustable Beds and Motorized Carts Required by Law in Canary Islands Hotels
The Parliament of the Canary Islands unanimously approved a legislative proposal to amend Law 7/1995 of 6 April on the Organization of Tourism in the Canary Islands, during the Tourism and Employment Committee. The amendment makes it mandatory for hotel establishments to provide adjustable beds and motorized carts, and also eliminates the use of Nordic duvets, among other advances.
“A collective success” – Mario Cabrera González, deputy of the Canarian Nationalist Group (CCa)
Deputy Mario Cabrera González (CCa) intervened in the debate and highlighted “the collective success” of validating this legislative proposal, which must still be ratified by the full Parliament. He emphasized that it is “a shared achievement, from Las Kellys who brought us this proposal to the consensus reached among parliamentary groups to make it a reality.”
For the nationalist deputy, the amendment represents a significant step forward for the entire tourism sector in the Canary Islands.
“Finally we answer a demand that Las Kellys have been fighting for years, aimed at improving the working conditions of housekeeping staff, especially in the large resort complexes of the islands.” – Cabrera
During his speech, Cabrera acknowledged that “it was they who highlighted this problem in the Parliament and made us aware of the daily hardships they endure in their work.”
The approval comes at a time of record‑breaking tourist numbers across the archipelago and substantial economic benefits for the sector. Consequently, the deputy from Fuerteventura stressed that the destination’s quality “starts by guaranteeing better working conditions and fairer wages for those who truly sustain the sector.”
Cabrera explained that the surge in tourist arrivals also intensifies the workload for employees, leading to higher rates of injuries and a faster work pace. He praised the Tourism and Employment Ministry for promoting ergonomic and psychosocial studies that can inform measures to improve labor conditions.
Nevertheless, the parliamentarian highlighted the need to apply the regulation taking into account the particularities of each island. He noted:
“It is not the same to implement it in large, high‑revenue establishments as it is in the predominantly non‑capital island accommodation fabric—especially on islands such as El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma, which consist of small owners with few beds. We do not want to disadvantage them either.”
Finally, the nationalist deputy called for continued work to protect the rights of the collective and to promote appropriate measures. He stressed that the law should be “a living law, capable of adapting to new demands and technological changes that can improve working conditions in the sector.”
Cabrera also recalled another key demand of Las Kellys: after the recognition of occupational diseases linked to their work—such as lower back pain, neck pain, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as high levels of stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue—in the official catalogue of work‑related illnesses, they should also be granted the right to request early retirement.