Hotel cleaners across Spain, organized under the group Las Kellys, have marked 12 years of protests, drawing attention to severe health consequences and worsening working conditions in the sector. In Madrid and Barcelona, members described a daily reality of chronic pain and heavy medication use. Subcontracting, now widespread in the hotel industry, drives a relentless pace.
Maria del Mar Jiménez, president of Las Kellys de Madrid, traveled to Barcelona this week to join the annual demonstration. She described the physical toll of decades spent cleaning hotel rooms: multiple herniated discs and damaged hands. Persistent pain requires strong medication. Jiménez said many colleagues rely on painkillers and muscle relaxants just to get through their shifts, while some take anxiety medication at night because of the intensity of their symptoms.
Las Kellys say the shift from direct hotel employment to outsourcing has sharply cut wages and protections. Temporary agencies came first, followed by service companies. Workers are often covered by cleaning-sector agreements instead of hospitality contracts, resulting in pay gaps of €600 to €800 per month. Pressure to clean rooms quickly under constant supervision has grown as hotels seek to maximize occupancy and efficiency.
Juani Pérez, a spokesperson for the group in Barcelona, outlined its longstanding demands: early retirement options and recognition of work-related illnesses. She also called for ergonomic risk assessments and better equipment, including adjustable beds and motorized carts. Pérez criticized the hotel and tourism industry for maintaining high profits as staff conditions deteriorate, saying cleaners’ health is sacrificed in hotel corridors.
Magnolia Cuevas, another member, said subcontracting leaves workers more vulnerable and financially insecure. She noted that striking is rarely an option because cleaners are paid only for the days they work, making collective action difficult. Their bargaining position is further weakened by the lack of union coverage: Las Kellys operates as an association rather than a formal union.
Eulalia Corralero, a founding member with 45 years in the sector, voiced frustration at ongoing outsourcing and wage reductions. She said dividing staff into smaller groups weakens their ability to negotiate. Many workers do not reach retirement age while still working because of permanent disabilities. Those declared unfit to work often survive on half their previous income.
Ernest Cañada, a geographer from Alba Sud, a tourism research center, described the widespread medicalization of hotel cleaners as a systemic issue. He linked their dependence on medication to the physical demands and organization of their work: repetitive tasks carried out at an intense pace under impressive time pressure. Cañada also questioned the lack of recognition for a role basic to the tourism sector. Employers often blame workers for not following ergonomic guidelines, despite the realities of the job.
As Las Kellys continue their struggle, labor rights in Spain remain in focus. Recent debates over working conditions in other sectors, including new uniforms for Congress ushers introduced by a Madrid-based costume company, have also highlighted tensions between tradition and modernization, with workers’ welfare at stake. Read more about how workplace changes are affecting staff in Spain’s institutions in this report on new uniforms for Congress ushers.
Spain’s hotel industry employs hundreds of thousands of people and attracts millions of tourists annually. The issues raised by Las Kellys point to the challenge of balancing profitability with the health and dignity of frontline workers. Hotel cleaners’ experiences reveal the human cost behind the country’s tourism success.
