'We want a meeting with the Mayor'

JIMENA We read about this on TioJimeno, and herewith offer an abridged, translated version of the open letter Elizabeth and John Holtermann sent to our colleagues up the road. "To Jimena Town Hall: We have asked for a meeting with the Secretary, and it was cancelled. Meanwhile, we wrote to the Mayor and handed the letter to him personally, but have received no answer. We assume that anyone living in a municipality has the right to a meeting, if not with the Mayor, then with the Secretary. We thought we would no longer have to deal with the same kind of people as we did with the previous administration, but it looks as though we're wrong. Therefore we ask: if the Secretary cancels a meeting and the Mayor doesn't reply to our letter, what's the point in having voted for another party at the elections?" We at JimenaPulse have some answers that might interest the Holtermanns (see below).>>>

VAT to go up next year, and alcohol and tobacco and fuel and ... you name it

De Guindos, de Santamaría and
Báñez, ministers various

SPAIN Friday used to be a good day. Not any more. It is the day of the Cabinet's weekly meeting, which now seems to bring nothing but bad news. Just some of it from today: unemployment is now up to 5.6 million, 24.55% of the working population; inflation has reached an official 2%, though anyone in the street will tell you it's more than that; VAT to go up next year, probably to 20% or more; all that, plus all kinds of other measures announced a week ago and about which we are trying to get a grip so we can tell you about them (Watch out for Adiós black money and No more cash under the counter coming soon to your favourite website - THIS ONE, DAMMIT!) 

Anti-tax evasion measures, medical co-payments and more children in the classroom

King Juan Carlos's accident made the really big news of the week move over (Prospero's well-exercised cynicism wonders about smoke screens). Three significant things will be approved by tomorrow's weekly Cabinet Meeting, or already were at last week's: co-payment for medicines by pensioners -free medication until now- depending on their income, and the long-term unemployed; anti-tax evasion measures against under-the-counter cash payments to the self-employed; more children in the classroom. We will be looking at each of these, and more, measures being taken over the next few weeks. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION IN THE FUTURE but you can make a donation NOW, too! Please click here for more information on how to help us continue.

Cemeteries feel the crunch: families are not paying for their 'nichos'

Algeciras, the old cemetery

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The financial crunch is taking its toll on the families of those who have been interred at either of the two cemeteries in Algeciras, according to the Marcos Lo-Iacono, the manager of the cemeteries' concession company. He says that he had sent a list of 'payment pending' names to the Town Hall two years ago. All the official requirements were met (there is considerable paperwork involved, see below) but, says Lo-Iacono, "people must be aware that, unless a nicho is bought, it is a rental that lasts five years." PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION IN THE FUTURE but you can make a donation NOW, too! Please click here for more information on how to help us continue. (This item was translated, researched and edited, taking almost two hours to produce )>>>

Don't worry, it's Friday the 13th

SPAIN Yes, today's Friday the 13th!! But we have news for you. We are in Spain, right? And in Spain the equivalent to Friday the 13th is martes 13, that is, Tuesday the 13th. So we have nothing to worry about at all. In fact, if you're really clever, you can get away with not worrying about martes 13, either, just by saying you're not Spanish. The same applies to April Fool's, Mother's and Father's Days and all sorts. Prospero's been doing it for years...

What's the strike all about?

(Photo: AP)

Tomorrow's General Strike is against the Reformas Laborales (Labour Reforms) set out by the new PP government. There are many details, but the cutbacks are expected to scythe through the entire working population, in private and public entities. Briefly, it is much easier now to hire and fire, cut wages, force early retirement, etc. The reform is not as drastic as in Greece, but closer to Britain's (i.e. mainly benefiting business). The byword for strikers is akin to "What happens to the Welfare State?" There is as yet no answer.

How will tomorrow's General Strike affect you?

In case you'd forgotten, there is a General Strike called for tomorrow, Thursday, March 29, beginning at midnight tonight. So, you ask, how will it affect me? In general, most offices and businesses are open, though some may be at minimal staff level. The following is an attempt at warning you of possible consequences: Schools: Your child should have a notice from his/her teacher advising him/her (or you) of the fact that the teacher may or may not turn up for work. In any case the school is open for business, though there may only be a skeleton staff on duty. Universities: Probably not worth going to class, as trouble is expected as usual. Hospitals/Medical Centres: Staff are expected to back strike as cutbacks will impact here particularly. Expect skeleton nursing and administrative staff, but not particularly from doctors and specialists. Shops: they are all open, though smaller ones in larger towns and cities may choose to close because of pickets. Banks/Post Offices: open as usual with just a few on strike if at all. Airports: open but probably understaffed, so expect delays. Public Transport: Minimally staffed, expect delays. Petrol stations: open for business as usual. No regional trains or buses will be operating. PICKETS & DEMOS: These may be present just about anywhere (e.g. the Frontier in La Línea, in front of the larger stores such as Carrefour), so be prepared for delays. If you choose to cross the picket line, which you are free to do, expect abuse. Just be careful.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION IN THE FUTURE but you can make a donation NOW, too! Please click here for more information on how to help us continue.

Why will one of Jimena's three banks have to close?

Jimena branches

News yesterday confirmed that three months' worth of negotiation has ended with an agreed share swap whereby Banca Cívica is taken over by CaixaBank. Banca Cívica owns Cajasol since a previous rush to convert and conjoin building societies into banks. La Caixa became CaixaBank in the aforesaid M&S panic. Jimena has a branch of each. The question, alas, is which one is going to be closed, and will we know any of the faces taking over? The same will apply wherever there is a duplication of these two entities. Sadly, unemployment looms for many people in the banking business - more likely, of course, in the lower echelons without golden parachutes.

Electricity price hikes expected on April 1

SPAIN We told you about the price hike last week but here is the reason behind it, and the percentages. The electric companies' association, Unesa, says that the peajes should be going up by 30%, which would amount to about 15% on our electricity bill. The Supreme Court sided with the companies and ordered the price hike that should have taken place on January 1 to happen as soon as possible. However, the peaje and the price the companies have to pay for the energy have come down, which means that the bills should not go up by more than 12 or 13%. The Spanish power system is so convoluted and complicated to explain that we are not bothering to do so, but way of a general concept you should know that, first, what is called a Tarifa de Último Recurso (TUR, or 'tariff of last resort') and to which some 20 million consumers -that is, the vast majority including us- are subscribed, and which is revised every three months, is made up of two components: the peajes that pay the companies and are regulated by the government, and, second, the price of energy that results from an auction called Cesur (please don't ask, just accept!).

Happy Father's Day, José! ¡Viva La Pepa!

Friday was ... we forget what. Saturday was St. Patrick's, yesterday was Mothering Sunday (in the UK) and today is San José, which makes it Father's Day in Spain and, this year, the 200th anniversary of the 1812 Constitution signed in Cádiz (and about which more later on), known as La Pepa (Pepa is short for Josefa, the feminine version of José - don't ask). If you think we were going to spend all weekend writing about, or had time to do so before, you'd be wrong, so get over it. (We'll tell you what we were doing, though.)

General strike called for March 29

Union special magazine, this morning

Labour reforms 'suicidal, say unions

SPAIN (Agencies) The two major unions, Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.) and Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) yesterday announced they are calling a General Strike on March 29. The date coincides with nationalist unions in the Basque Country and Navarre, as well as being the day before the Budget. The strike is called in protest against the severe labour reform the PP Government has approved unilaterally thanks to its absolute majority in Parliament. The unions call them "the most regressive" since the first elections in democracy, in 1977. They accuse the government of destroying the "social architecture", adding that no government has done so much to break down the rights of workers in such a short time. Far from "correcting the failures of the previous PSOE government," says a joint communiqué, the labour reforms "are suicidal" and might well be unconstitutional. This is the sixth general strike to be held in the democracy that came after the Franco era. It is as well to remember, too, that the last one was called last September but was widely seen a a failure. Also, the unions are heavily subsidised by the government, which has caused much controversy inside and outside of their structure - there have been many complaints about the large salaries paid to many union leaders.

WARNING: ARE THESE 'BOGUS PLUG-INS' BEING SOLD IN SPAIN?

(Photo: UK Trading Standards Authority)

(EXCLUSIVE) An article in The Guardian last year pointed out that the claims about these plug-in devices claim to save users anywhere between 15% and 40% on energy bills, but actually pose a risk of fire and electrocution. They were being sold over the phone by 'rogue fraudsters targeting older people', it said. (See similar reports on BBC, Moneywise, and the UK Trading Standards Authority (TSA), the source of the original warning.)  Various trading standards authorities in Britain had received complaints about them; one of these came to the conclusion that the companies involved in these scams are not actually located in the UK and that the call centres they use are based abroad and the appliances appear to be distributed by a number of individuals in the UK. Among the companies mentioned in the article are 1 Stop Marketing Solutions, ITC Development Corp, Power Saver, and Athico Ltd, but the fraudsters could be using other names as well, according to the TSA. There is no way of knowing whether these or any other such companies are operating in Spain, but there seems to be a surge of these so-called 'energy-saving' devices appearing in the English-speaking press in Spain, often in full page colour ads. We did come across a Spanish forum about Power Saver, though, with much the same derogatory comments as we mention below.>>>

Clampdown on foreign registered vehicles

Gibraltar-registered vehicles are not exempt
SPAIN Drivers will have noticed that the Guardia Civil Traffic Unit are stopping them more frequently. They should know that the local Guardia Civil are well aware of all the foreign registered vehicles in their area; they know how long a person has been living in the area, and whether or not they have foreign-plated car at the door. Below, you will find a summary of what the law says -and a few suggestions- about a foreign registered car, most of which the GC have until now not been bothered with much. Until now. We keep hearing about cars being towed away or confiscated at the roadside because they are now clamping down on these illegal vehicles. The law is not specific about Gibraltar-plated cars, but it must be assumed that their owners living on this side of the border  are covered by the same law.>>>

Reader asks: do we really have to take the baby to the National Police to prove he exists?

(Illustration only)

Maybe one of our readers can answer this question (it's a very long time since Prospero had to deal with live babies): "When we applied for the baby's NIE number at the National Police station in La Línea, we were told that he had to be presented in person. This despite the fact that he has his own British passport and we had gathered all the documents needed to get his NIE. Has anyone been through this lately?" If you have, or know someone who has, please click on the word 'comments' below and tell us about it. We have to admit we were astonished by this one!

The Mediterranean diet as a way of life

Cooking based on the way feed ourselves, the way we cook and share our food with others

SPAIN Just a few years ago, the Mediterranean diet was all the rage throughout the world. As a way of life, it was healthy and efficient yet not in the least complicated to live by. Based on ancient techniques, many of which were born of necessity, the geographical boundaries are the three continents that touch on, yes, the Mediterranean: Africa, Asia and Europe, all of whom share similar climates, cultures and even religions - the latter having their foundations in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The heritage is ancient, transmitted from generation to generation over thousands of years. The Mediterranean diet is the result of inter-cultural exchange that has develioped over the cenuries. The Mediterranean peoples, however much they have in common, must then also have their own identities.>>>

Municipalities look to fines as cash cows

JEREZ The municipality of Jerez has just given notice that it is prepared to lower costs without lowering income. One of the ways it is proposing to do this particular bit of financial gymnastics is via fines. Although the report mentions only traffic fines, we would bet on them and every other municipality in deep doo-doo, finding a way of fining us for everything from painting a tiny spot on the house without a licence to following one as we walk the dog (did he pick it up?). In other words -and we are getting increasingly cynical- we are warned. Needless to say, there are other moves from the Government after today's Cabinet meeting (held usually on Friday but tom tomorrow's a national holiday).

Are you wearing red knickers?

What? Yes, hadn't you noticed all the selections of red underwear -male and female- that abounds at this time of year? They're sure to have some at the Chinese shops if you forgot to buy any for tonight. But why? One of the least evident traditions for New Year's Eve in Spain -one of many - requires that you wear red underwear to meet the New Year. It apparently gives you luck in finding a partner (it doesn't specify whether permanent or temporary). Until quite recently, if you wore yellow underwear, all you got was luck. We have been unable to find out where or when this tradition began, but if it has anything to do with cunning marketing, like the eating of the 12 grapes at midnight (see below), we wouldn't be at all surprised. But this is not the only 'good-luck traditional ritual' (i.e. superstitions), here are some more, including some pretty strange ones:>>>

SPAIN DECLARES BANKRUPTCY - OFFICIAL!

(Illustration only)

SPAIN In  a move aimed at outmaneuvering  the banks and ratings agencies, which are on skeleton staff for the holidays, Spain's newly-appointed Secretary of State for Finance, Miguel Ángel González Alfonso-Díaz, made a surprise announcement last night - after the main newscasts - declaring that the country is officially bankrupt. The statement may not be a complete surprise to other members of the EU, but it comes in the wake of a tiny if significant glimmer of optimism in the world markets, which are expected to plunge once more following this announcement. Reaction has not been slow in coming, even in the early hours of this morning. One disheveled PSOE spokesperson (whose name we were unable to catch in time on the radio just a few minutes ago) said that her party was determined to>>>

How to choose your jamón this Christmas

One of the most expensive jamones
in the world

We choose to use the Spanish word for ham to avoid any possible confusion. Not that there can be much confusion about the taste. For the most part, foreigners use the words jamón serrano to mean what amounts to a large variety of, literally, 'mountain ham'. This is the variety one usually gets in a tapa in a bar. But there are three factors that determine not only the quality, but also the taste and, especially, the price. Finding the right one, or one that is best value for money, is about as easy as winning El Gordo lottery. In this item we will be using some denominations that even the Spaniards are confused about, but since prices can vary from €18 a kilo to €750 (paid in Japan in October), it's probably a good idea to get some knowledge on the subject. But, as we said in another item on this delicious subject (Let's Ham it Up, JimenaPulse, June 2007), it all starts with the pig.>>>

Are you due to pay your Non-Resident Property Income Tax?

'Modelo 210'

SPAIN This is not a new tax (see our item of November 2009) but the Tax Man (a.k.a. as Hacienda, or Inland Revenue) is getting hotter in the chase for funds. Foreign property owners have been receiving letters from Hacienda 'reminding' them that they need to pay the tax. What to do if you know nothing about it? First, we urge you to read the article mentioned above, then, if your Spanish is limited, head for a Gestoría, or a lawyer, or someone who can help (e.g. TranslationHELP , new number 685 052 684). Your bank can also help. The tax is due for payment by December 31, so you need to get moving. Below, you will find some FAQs on the subject that might be helpful, and Form 210 is available from the Hacienda website (in English!). In any case, do not allow anyone to overcharge you, as it can also be done online.>>>