Four arrested for enslaving 20 people in fast food places in Barcelona

The National Police arrested four people on March 27 for exploiting 20 people in semi-slavery conditions, who were not paid for their work and four of whom were in an irregular situation, in six fast food outlets in the Barcelona province.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
18 April 2023 Tuesday 03:47
18 Reads
Four arrested for enslaving 20 people in fast food places in Barcelona

The National Police arrested four people on March 27 for exploiting 20 people in semi-slavery conditions, who were not paid for their work and four of whom were in an irregular situation, in six fast food outlets in the Barcelona province.

As the National Police explained in a statement on Tuesday, the investigation began last January, when they were aware of the existence of several fast food outlets, Kebab style, where the owner was allegedly exploiting his workers.

The fast food establishments accused of labor exploitation are located in the towns of Mollet del Vallès, Martorelles, Parets del Vallès, Mataró and Torelló.

The owner of the establishments took advantage of the situation of need and vulnerability of the workers, since some did not have legal documentation in Spain, and without any of the employees being registered with Social Security.

In addition, the workers did not have an employment contract and did not have financial compensation for their work, with working hours that exceeded what was legally established.

Some of the people lived in the same fast food place, in zero hygienic-sanitary conditions, without ventilation and surrounded by dangerous material.

The victims stated in their statements that they worked a high number of hours every day of the week, without the possibility of resting and without receiving any financial compensation, under the threat that they would be expelled from Spain.

Of the four detainees, three were in charge and the other was responsible for the six establishments, which were released after being handed over to the Mollet del Vallès Investigating Court.