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NORTH EDITION
Spain set for strikes
24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010
The gay face of Benidorm
A total of 26 entrepreneurs have recently set up a group to promote their bars, linked to the powerful gay brand with which they are associated.. • p3
Cipal takes to the streets
CIPAL, the independent local political party of Altea, has taken to the streets in the form of a large hoarding on the N332, in Altea. With the local elections only 8 months away, CIPAL wants foreigners to register on the Padron and on the Electoral Roll. • p5
by Louise Clarke
Welcome to the no-nannying state So what is this ‘Big Society’ about? The new terminology adopted by the Coalition government gives us another phrase to play with. • p29
Growing fruit and nuts
Clodagh and Dick Handscombe continue with their helpful hints and information for your gardens in Spain. • p46
The delights of Delhi? Newspapers in India have run headlines such as ‘National Shame’ with the Times of India arguing that those responsible should be indentified and brought to book. • p60
See page 17
Chrissie Edwards (left) and a royal Jane Corbett
By royal appointment ANIMAL CHARITY LAPS had a royal visitor at its succesful Fun Day. Dressed in a fetching blue suit and hat, Her Majesty snipped the ribbon declaring the event open. Read the full story on page 21.
PUBLIC SECTOR workers such as Town Hall officials, teachers, transport workers and hospital staff will be amongst the millions of people taking part in next week’s General Strike. Spanish unions have called a general strike in response to labour market reforms and confirmed that the strike will take place next Wednesday, 29th September, to coincide with the European ‘Day of Action’. The strike comes after the Spanish socialist government announced a series of austerity measures including an average 5% pay cut for public workers during 2010. Despite strike action, the government is pressing ahead with the reforms. And like many other European governments, they have introduced the cuts in order to help the economy recover after a very deep recession and a surge in unemployment, which has seen the rate in Spain reach more than 20%. Union
bosses, including the UGT Leader, Candido Mendez, have said the changes would favour businesses and will, in turn, harm the rights of workers as the measures include enabling employers to hire and fire more easily. In June, more than a million Spaniards marched through the streets of Madrid to protest against the austerity measures, which also will see automatic inflation adjustments for pensions suspended; payouts for parents on the birth of their children scrapped; and funding to regional governments cut by €1.2 billion. Spanish unions have said that they expect between 75-80% of public sector workers to join in Wednesday’s day-long strike. And the government and unions remain at loggerheads with regards to the likely disruption caused to internal and international flights and train services. Continued on page 4