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Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…Murcia’s reputation as a building hotspot took a severe blow in 2008. Construction of new properties fell by a massive 65%. Work was started on only around 16,000 new units, matching the figures of 2002. While this is good news for the environment, much of the recent urbanization has caused concern to green activists, the effect on jobs has been catastrophic. Unemployment in the building industry is at it highest for 10 years, with 23,000 workers looking for employment.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…An estimated 15,000 protestors took to the streets of Murcia in a show of solidarity against a change in utility policy. Much needed water, currently diverted from the Tajo river, is set to come to an end in 2015. The demonstration was a well ordered and lively affair, with musical protestors keeping their comrades entertained with music from the legendary Julio Iglesias.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…Schumacher came a cropper and broke his ribs on a less than perfect visit to the region. The unfortunate ex world champion, who always enjoyed excellent luck when racing on four wheels, found two wheels less to his liking. Schumacher was testing a motorbike on the relatively unknown Cartagena circuit, when he lost control and came off. Local reports claim he was unconscious for some minutes before being taken to the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…the credit crunch has hit immigrant workers hard in Murcia. Moroccans, attracted to the region by plentiful jobs in the agricultural sector, are now leaving in their droves. Half of the estimated 30,000 who live in Murcia are planning to leave. Figures come from the Association of Immigrant Moroccan Workers in Murcia. The organization reports that many families are choosing to split up, mothers and children returning to North Africa, while fathers stay in the hope of finding work. Foreign workers from further a field, are looking to other regions within the Spanish peninsula for employment.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…Iberdrola, the local power company, has been forced to offer customers a refund if they have been mistakenly overcharged. The decision follows a meeting with three councilors from Murcia City Hall. Unfortunately, it is down to individuals to contact the company via claim forms and the window for appeals is just 12 days.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…palm trees, the focal point of many gardens and public areas in Murcia, are under threat from a small insect. The Red Palm Weevil was responsible for the felling of 576 palm trees in Cartagena alone. A further 376 were lost in Los Alcazares, with San Javier down a further 346. To date, 44 outbreaks have been reported in the Murcia region. The Canary Palm was the most vulnerable species. Local authorities blame the hot weather for the spread of the beetles and believe the outbreak affected many more trees than those reported to officials.
Latest news from the La Manga Club news team…drastic measures to cut down the menace of plastic bags include an initiative launched by four municipalities in the Murcia region. Murcia, Lorca, Villanueva and Cehegin are giving away 25,000 fabric shopping bags in a measure designed to wean shoppers away from plastic carriers. The weekly giveaway takes place every Thursday and will target markets and smaller traditional shops. Spain produces an estimated 100,000 tons of plastic rubbish each year.
