Following a recommendation from the Balearic Islands Public Health Laboratory based on water quality checks, today at noon, the Consell de Formentera issued a temporary ban on swimming at Es Pujols beach (Platja des Pujols). Swimming at the beach will remain restricted until conditions return to normal, and the Consell is currently awaiting results from a new water quality analysis. The negative indicators appear to stem from the emptied bilge waters of boats anchored nearby. Dumping bilge waters near beaches is not only irresponsible, but doing so is prohibited, and the Consell de Formentera calls for extreme vigilance in coastal areas to prevent such occurrences.

Formentera lifeguards announced the measure to the swimmers who were on the beach.

18 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Offices of Entrepreneurship and Social Welfare are backing a new programme of training and support for employment. This programme of the Balearic Employment Service (Servei d'Ocupació de les Illes Balears, SOIB) is for local over-30s who are long-term unemployed or members of an at-risk community, such as islanders facing social exclusion.

To improve participants' professional profiles, the programme offers at least 120 hours of individualised and group guidance and support, with each participant receiving at least 100 hours of training. "This is about capacity building and increasing participants' chances of accessing the labour market. Plus, as an incentive, individuals who successfully complete their personalised itineraries will receive a grant of €1,800", said Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera and councillor of entrepreneurship.

Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare, pledged "support and individual, personalised and comprehensive care from the Formentera Office of Social Welfare. Through various actions, participants develop their professional project and obtain regular employment".

Part of the SOIB's local projects for vulnerable groups, the initiative is also included in the EU-funded Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Next Generation EU). Candidates must apply to the SOIB. For more information, please call 971 321 087 (ext. 3122) or email inserciolaboral@conselldeformentera.cat .

Vulnerable individuals, as well as persons at risk of social exclusion, may be: female victims of gender violence, victims of harassment based on sex or gender, homeless people, people with disabilities, migrants, people with dependency issues, victims of discrimination in the labour market and people with difficulties accessing the labour market, among others. Long-term unemployment refers to at least 12 months of joblessness in the previous 18 months.

16 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera