The town of Candasnos, in the Bajo Cinca region (Huesca), has been the scene of a recent operation by the Civil Guard that resulted in the arrest of two individuals. This operation originated from three reports concerning the working conditions of approximately 200 seasonal workers engaged in fruit picking.
Inadequate living conditions
The reports indicated that around 200 foreign workers were living in Candasnos under conditions that violated their rights. Following the investigation, 50 individuals were found residing in homes at risk of collapse. Additionally, 147 individuals were discovered crammed into an old guesthouse, lacking proper sewage systems and with precarious electrical installations.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with Social Services and the Candasnos Town Hall. The unsanitary conditions and evident fire risk prompted the search of the property, resulting in the arrest of two individuals aged 61 and 52 for crimes against workers' rights and the rights of foreign citizens.
Business implications
The arrested individuals had links to the companies involved, which housed the workers under abusive conditions. Some of these organisations withheld part of the workers' wages for items such as accommodation and transport, and imposed deferred payments for return tickets.
The workers, who held temporary residence permits for seasonal activities, were hired in their home countries through the Collective Management of Recruitment at Origin (GECCO) mechanism, related to the Ministry of Migration.
The operation has been led by the Investigating Court No. 2 of Fraga and has involved collaboration from the Huesca Labour and Social Security Inspectorate, as well as other local social and emergency entities.
For more information, you can contact the communication office of the Civil Guard in Huesca at 680441007.
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