Month: March 2013

Electricity “discounts” offered which cost you 11%… more!

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Consumer organisations have lodged an official complaint over several new “saver” tariffs offered by electricty companies in Spain which actually… end up costing you up to 11% more! FACUA, in it’s latest edition of its consumer mag “Consumerismo“, has warned that several major utility suppliers are offering these discounts, which can only be taken up by subscribing to new services or products. Once the discount period ends, the new services will substantially increase your monthly Continue reading Electricity “discounts” offered which cost you 11%… more!→

Holidaymakers warned as Spanish private hospitals block EHIC usage

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Care managers using backhanders to divert Spain’s tourists from free EU scheme, reports The Telegraph. (Probably not a problem in Almería, tho’ – we only have state run hospitals here, which aren’t accused of this little scam). Holidaymakers heading for Spain are being warned that hospitals and clinics are increasingly paying inducements and sweeteners to trap tourists with big bills for treatment. Tour operators, taxi drivers and even the police are offered backhanders for directing Continue reading Holidaymakers warned as Spanish private hospitals block EHIC usage→

An examination and explanation of the “noise laws” in Andalusia

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This article is an examination and explanation of the laws governing noise pollution, generation and control in Spain, with special attention to the region of Andalusia. It explains the regulations all business owners need to know, with special attention to bars, restaurants, discos and entertainment venues. It also affects private people, and explains how you can successfully complain about that noisy neighbour or noisy business! This article has been updated November 2013. An overview of Continue reading An examination and explanation of the “noise laws” in Andalusia→

HOW many people work for Mojacar townhall?

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HOW MANY? You have to be kidding me…. I just came across the 2013 budget for Mojacar (total income €11.266.547,08, total expenditure €11.266.547,08, which is nice and neat). It has the list of positions the townhall has… 135 funcionarios (these are the people who can’t be fired), of which 13 are part time. Plus a further 132 assorted jobs elsewhere throughout the village. That means, that a village with just 8.173 people in the 2012 Continue reading HOW many people work for Mojacar townhall?→

Why is nobody contesting the Mojacar music ban? You still have time!

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I was interested to note the fuss over the Mojacar noise ban this weekend on facebook (see Lenox Napier and others, mainly on Facebook). So I tried to find a copy of the new “law”, the Ordenanza Municipal Reguladora de Determinadas Actividades de Ocio en el Término Municipal de Mojácar. And I couldn’t. Because, as I understand it, so far, it hasn’t passed into law. Instead, on the 8th of March, the Mojacar townhall voted Continue reading Why is nobody contesting the Mojacar music ban? You still have time!→

Smoking law for bars may be repealed to keep EuroVegas happy

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The Government has admitted that it is considering repealing or altering parts of the smoking law to permit smoking in some public bars. The comments came via the Delegate of the Government in Madrid, one Cristina Cifuentes, who admitted that the idea was being tabled in order to facilitate the construction of “Eurovegas” in Madrid. “Obviously we cannot alter the law for just one person or complex” she said during a radio interview on RNE1 Continue reading Smoking law for bars may be repealed to keep EuroVegas happy→

What´s all this about the Andalucian ERE slush fund case?

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Here´s a quick guide to get you up to speed on the ERE (slush fund) case in Andalucia from elmundo.es Yes, you need to read Spanish. Here´s a Google translated page. Errors not mine. The slush fund case revolves around the Junta paying out millions upon millions (possibly over a billion euros) to friends and families, and later to people who were a political nuisance. President Griñán HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE – Continue reading What´s all this about the Andalucian ERE slush fund case?→

Almanzora motorway project deemed “dead in the water” as protests loom

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AEMA says that the Almanzora motorway is “dead in the water” and that it will never be finished in our lifetime, as attempts by the Junta to attract private investment to finish the motorway fail – because it will cost them six times as much as actually building the thing themselves. AEMA is the Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía (Andalucian Marble Business Association) and has launched a public threat that it will start Continue reading Almanzora motorway project deemed “dead in the water” as protests loom→

Are you wearing something new today? You should, you know!

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It´s Palm Sunday, and as the Spanish say: Domingo de Ramos, quien no estrena algo, se le caen las manos (“On Palm Sunday, the hands drop off of those who fail to wear something new”) Several people have said this to me today, and a few minutes searching on the net seems to bring me to the conclusion that nobody knows why you have to wear something new, you just do. It´s probably a folk Continue reading Are you wearing something new today? You should, you know!→

Corvera airport operator says Murcia is “being laughed at” by Madrid

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La Verdad de Murcia says that Aeromur -the company supposed to be running Corvera airport- and the Murcian government had a hell of a meeting last week in which Aeromur told the Murcians that they were being laughed at by Madrid, and sidelined by AENA. The row comes as Murcia confessed that it still doesn’t have a firm opening date for Corvera airport, and AENA hints that it won’t allow San Javier flights to be Continue reading Corvera airport operator says Murcia is “being laughed at” by Madrid→