Spain has the most bars and restaurants in the world in relation to its population.
BARCELONA In Barcelona, the terraces of bars and restaurants are full and there are many people on the streets even late on weekdays.
In recent weeks, however, there has been a heated debate in Spain about the opening hours of bars and restaurants.
The discussion started when the Labor and Deputy Prime Minister of the left-wing Sumar party Yolanda Diaz took a stand on opening hours.
According to Diaz, late hours undermine the well-being of employees. In his opinion, Spain should follow the model of the rest of Europe and close bars and restaurants earlier.
The most bars and restaurants in the world
For those sitting on the Placa de Sol square, known for its bars To Ricard Mateu Spanish bar culture is a sacred thing.
– I think they should be open as late as possible.
The one with him Alicia Quesada agrees.
– It is important for me to get out after the work day to meet friends.
Bars and restaurants are an important part of Spanish culture.
The country has the most bars in relation to the population and restaurants in the world. According to the Spanish Statistical Office, there is one bar for every 175 inhabitants in the country.
Currently, bars and restaurants are allowed to stay open late at night. For example, many restaurants still serve food at midnight.
“We are not Finland”
For the time being, Labor Minister Díaz’s proposal is primarily supported by his own party.
In addition to the employers’ side, the right-wing opposition opposes it most fiercely.
Recently the right-wing regional leader of Madrid Isabel Díaz Ayuso stated that the left wants to make Spain as boring as the Nordic countries, where people fortify themselves in their homes after dark.
Along the same lines, there is someone who spends the evening with his friends Victor Gutierrez.
– We are not Finland. We eat dinner late because we don’t get home from work until eight in the evening.
The restaurant industry is the largest employer in Spain
The proposal is opposed especially by entrepreneurs in the field.
A French restaurateur Aurelian Leoni the ice cream kiosk closes especially in summer only after midnight.
– I think the most important thing for an employee’s well-being is a fair employer. But bars and restaurants in Spain cannot be closed as early as, for example, in France.
Serving food next to Leon’s kiosk Abdel García says that night work suits him.
– I arrive at eight and leave at three. I am not in favor of opening hours earlier. The more work, the more money.
The Spanish Association of the Hotel and Restaurant Industry reminds that the industry is the largest employer in Spain.
According to it, late opening hours are a tourist attraction and the late hours of the evening are often economically more profitable.
“It’s not nice to get off work only in the morning”
According to Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz, for example, it is difficult to reconcile family life with bar and restaurant work in Spain.
He also cites research that shows that work done after ten in the evening weakens well-being.
A bar worker who spends his free evening on a terrace in Barcelona Sofia Castillo identify the problem.
– As a waiter, I wish we could rest more. I’m tired of not getting home until after midnight or in the wee hours of the morning.
According to Castillo, the problem is also poor pay.
The hourly wage in the restaurant industry is around 5–10 euros per hour.
However, some earn less. The use of shadow labor is common in the restaurant industry, and the working hours recorded in the contract are often exceeded.
Still, Castillo likes to spend his free time in bars.
What kind of thoughts do the opening hours of European bars and restaurants evoke in you? You can discuss the topic until 23:00 today.