Latest news with #VeronicaMartinez
Al Manar
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Spain Takes Bold Stand: Parliament Votes to Consider Israeli Arms Trade Ban
Spain's parliament on Tuesday passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel in response to its military operations in Gaza. The motion, introduced by the leftist Sumar alliance, part of the ruling coalition, along with opposition parties Podemos and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), was approved by a vote of 176-171, El Pais reported. Spain's parliament passed a non-binding resolution on Tuesday calling for a full arms embargo on Israel, citing its actions in Gaza as genocide. The motion, approved by a slim majority of 176 to 171, urges the government to halt all military-related exports, including protective… — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 21, 2025 The conservative People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox voted against the proposal, while all other parties supported it. Lawmakers in favor applauded the motion, which urges the Spanish government to ban the exports of any material that could strengthen the Israeli military, including helmets, vests, and fuel with potential military use. The motion also recommends reforming Spain's foreign trade legislation to prohibit military agreements with any state accused of committing genocide or crimes against humanity, specifically citing Israel's offensive on Gaza. Sumar spokesperson Veronica Martinez said Spain 'cannot cooperate with a state that commits genocide or war crimes,' adding that Israel's arms industry 'must not be supported under the current circumstances in Gaza.' Podemos leader Ione Belarra called on the Spanish Cabinet to convene an emergency session this week to issue a formal decree banning arms sales to Israel. 'Palestinians cannot wait any longer. Netanyahu is killing, bombing, starving, and depriving them of medical care. What is happening is the biggest ethnic cleansing of the 21st century,' she said, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'the Hitler of our time.' Defense Minister Margarita Robles, attending an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, reiterated that Spain has not engaged in arms trade with Israel since the onset of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023. 'We are not buying weapons from Israel, and this must be clearly stated. Since October 7, not a single weapon has been purchased from 'Israel'. Only protective gear like helmets and vests for Spanish security forces has been procured,' Robles said. However, civil society groups demonstrating outside parliament claimed that Spain still maintains nine active contracts with Israeli arms companies and continues to pay millions of euros under those agreements.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FIFO worker earning $90,000 for ‘easy' job in the mines with no experience: ‘Plenty of opportunities'
A young Aussie has shared how she got a FIFO job with no experience after leaving her corporate marketing role. Aussies can rake in big bucks working in the mining industry and you don't necessarily need to get your hands dirty as a tradie or labourer. Veronica Martinez is earning $90,000 a year as a FIFO kitchen hand in the Western Australian mines. The Perth woman told Yahoo Finance it took her almost a year to land the FIFO job but it was all worth it. 'What I love about FIFO is the lifestyle—it's kind of like 'work hard, play harder'. I get one week off to relax and go wherever I want,' she said. RELATED Surprising 'entry-level' FIFO job paying up to $80 per hour: 'Super easy to get' Rare $2 coloured coins worth up to $500: 'Go the distance' Centrelink warning over $1,321 cash boost now available for thousands: 'Can add up' 'If I take two weeks off, it's almost like getting four weeks away with no drama about leave. The pay is good, there's free accommodation, food is available 24/7, [which is] one of the perks of being a kitchen hand, there's a free gym, and we even have our own personal trainer.' There are a bunch of hospitality and utility jobs available in the mines, including kitchen hands, chefs, bartenders, cleaners and drivers. Martinez said she decided to make the switch to FIFO because she found she wasn't getting paid enough in her previous field and didn't see herself developing further as a digital account manager.'I enjoyed both jobs, but as someone with ADHD, I like experiencing different things, moving my body, and doing physical labor,' she said. 'I know it might sound weird, but I enjoy being active much more than sitting in an office.' Martinez said she was able to get her job at the end of last year after persistently applying for entry-level roles, including service attendant and utility worker jobs. While she doesn't have any FIFO experience or any tickets or qualifications, she said she made a point to highlight her experience in previous customer service, retail and kitchen jobs when she was interviewed. Martinez said her job involved two weeks on, with one week of day shifts followed by one week of night shifts. Shifts are 11 hours long. 'The job is easy—it's mostly helping the chefs prep for dinner service, cleaning the dining room, and washing dishes,' she told Yahoo Finance. 'I always joke, 'Why wash dishes at home for free when you can get paid $90,000 a year here by washing dishes?' People always laugh when I say that, but it's true.' Night shift work involves prepping for breakfast, mostly bacon and eggs, and preparing sandwiches. Martinez said the most challenging part of the work itself was thinking of different varieties of sandwiches to make everyday. 'I work 11-hour shifts, so I try to make things interesting. Luckily, I have a good crew, so working long hours feels more like hanging out,' she shared. Martinez said the only downside of FIFO work was being away from friends and family. 'You miss a lot of events or small things happening with your friends and family. But it's a small sacrifice to make for buying a house and living comfortably,' she said. For Aussies hoping to land a similar job, Martinez recommended looking at companies like Sodexo, ESS, Civeo and Programmed to see what entry-level jobs were being advertised. A Sodexo spokesperson told Yahoo Finance there were a 'vast number of jobs beyond mine workers' in the energy and resources industry. 'What keeps remote villages operational, beds ready, and miners fed are the jobs done behind the scenes - the catering and facilities-management teams that keep sites functioning,' the spokesperson said. 'Fly-in, fly-out roles are available at remote sites around Australia for several positions, such as qualified chefs, service attendants, tradespersons, bus drivers and general utilities, to mention but a few.' While it took Martinez a bit of time to land her job, she encouraged other people interested in FIFO work not to give up applying. 'It took me almost a year to land this gig, and I was about to give up when I finally got the call,' she said. 'A lot of people want to do FIFO, so just keep applying and don't be too picky at the start. Even starting as a cleaner is a great stepping stone to get into mining. 'I believe that once you're in, you're in, and there are plenty of opportunities waiting. Just show that you're worth it and that you're hardworking.'Sign in to access your portfolio
