The National Police have arrested four men and one woman for allegedly employing undocumented workers in restaurants and hairdressers in Palma on 13-hour shifts, some of whom were living in spaces attached to the establishments. The investigation began after anonymous information was received by email by the anti-trafficking unit, alerting them to possible irregularities in one of the establishments of those now under arrest, according to a statement by the National Police.
As a result of this information, a joint operation was carried out with the Labour Inspectorate, in which foreign workers who did not have authorisation to work in Spain were identified in a number of establishments in Palma. The investigations revealed the existence of long working hours, from the opening of the establishment at 9 a.m. until its closure at around 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday, with no days off and no right to holidays, no contracts and undue wage deductions, which created a situation of economic dependence.
In addition, the social isolation to which the irregular workers were subjected went so far as to prevent them from speaking to customers. In relation to irregularities in terms of habitability and use of buildings, the corresponding sanctions have also been imposed by the building inspection department of the Council of Mallorca and the Urban Planning Discipline department of Palma City Council.
The operation is part of the National Police’s ongoing efforts to combat labour exploitation and the violation of foreign workers’ rights, behaviours that undermine human dignity and create situations of particular vulnerability and abuse. The arrested individuals will be investigated for alleged crimes against workers’ rights and the rights of foreign citizens. The operation remains open and further action cannot be ruled out.
Anyone who suffers any type of exploitation or has information about it is advised that the direct telephone number of the National Police in Spain to report or request help for human trafficking, sexual exploitation or labour exploitation is 900 10 50 90. This number is free, confidential and available to victims or citizens who have information, and reports can also be made by email.