Union Files Complaint Over Dangerous Structural Failures at Tenerife High Court

The poor state of judicial buildings in the Canary Islands is back in the spotlight after the union Intersindical Canaria filed a formal complaint with the Labor Inspectorate. The union reports that the High Court of Justice (TSJC) in Tenerife is suffering from structural damage that threatens both the safety of court records and the health of the staff working there.

In a report submitted to labor authorities, the union highlighted a long-standing failure to maintain the building. Documented issues—many of which were identified in a November 2023 planning report—include broken climate control systems that push temperatures above 27°C, poor lighting, faulty window locks, and cramped, disorganized archive spaces. The situation has become critical, with reports of ceiling collapses forcing staff to relocate, as well as persistent mold and water leaks damaging legal documents.

The current state of the building is particularly frustrating given the public money spent on it recently. In 2022, the regional government invested over 330,000 euros to repair the facade and fix dampness issues. The fact that these problems persist in 2026 suggests that the work was either poorly executed or that the building has been neglected since, despite repeated warnings to the General Directorate of Relations with the Administration of Justice.

This situation highlights a growing conflict over how judicial resources are managed in the islands, where safety and workplace standards must take priority over budget cuts. The Labor Inspectorate is now expected to step in and ensure the building meets basic safety and habitability standards, as the current conditions remain unacceptable for a public service facility.