The banana packing sector in the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro has reached a decisive agreement to secure job stability this year. At a recent meeting of the negotiating table held at FICA-UGT headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, union and employer representatives ratified the new wage tables for 2026, setting a 3% increase in line with the terms of the applicable collective agreement.
At the operational core of the warehouses, Group IV sets wages for essential workers. Packing workers and specialists receive €1,227.68 per month, with a total annual pay of €17,187.58. Meanwhile, category A drivers are paid a base remuneration of €1,355.79 per month, bringing their annual pay to €18,981.03. Supervisors, responsible for coordinating the chain, earn €1,338.31 per month.
This economic adjustment affects not only base pay, but also includes an update to extra-salary allowances to adapt to the current inflationary context. Among the most significant items, the vacation pool has been set at €504.70, while travel allowances stand at €14.67 for each main meal and €4.39 for breakfast. Likewise, the distance bonus rises to €2.58, and the versatility bonus—essential for flexibility in the sector—varies between €51.50 and €103 per month depending on the number of days on which that functional mobility is applied.
The wage structure is defined by professional groups. Group I for technicians sets monthly base salaries of €1,591.35 for agricultural technical engineers, reaching a total annual of €22,278.90. In the administrative block, first-level managers receive €1,909.87 per month, totaling €26,738.15 per year, while administrative assistants have a base of €1,248.27 per month.
The agreement also sets the value of overtime hours for this year, which vary depending on each professional’s category and the seniority accredited. These figures vary significantly, exceeding €20 per hour in the highest technical and administrative categories and in more experienced roles, recognizing the value of career history within banana packing companies.
The negotiating table has stipulated that any salary arrears that may have occurred since the start of the year and have not yet been settled by companies must be paid, with a deadline of the February 2026 payroll. Under this deal, signed by organizations including Coplaca, Agriten, UGT and CC.OO., the banana sector aims to dispel doubts about labour costs and ensure industrial peace in one of the most strategic agri-food industries in the Canary archipelago.
The entry Canary Islands banana logistics: 3% pay rise for 2026 was first published on encanarymaritime.com.
