Spain once again faces the problem of labor exploitation of migrants, an issue that affects not only the victims themselves but also the entire system of labor oversight. In Palencia, police have arrested five individuals who orchestrated a scheme in which 12 migrants were forced to work in bakeries for 17 hours a day without days off or pay. This case raises questions about worker safety, labor rights, and the effectiveness of supervision in the country.
The victims found themselves trapped: they were lured by promises of legal employment, but in reality faced threats, constant surveillance, and were unable to leave their workplace. The organizers demanded large sums for document processing, then used those papers to blackmail the workers, threatening them with deportation if they disobeyed. People lived in cramped conditions, often right next to the production area, with no way to seek help.
Investigation and arrests
The first suspicions arose for the police after inspecting bakeries in the cities of Aguilar de Campoo and Ampudia. The operation involved simultaneous searches, closure of two businesses, and the rescue of all 12 victims. Four suspects were arrested in Palencia, and another in Alicante. The investigation was carried out jointly with the labor inspectorate, which helped uncover numerous violations and collect evidence against the organizers.
The scheme exploited administrative loopholes: suspects obtained certificates attesting to a shortage of local workers, which allowed them to get work permits for foreigners. Migrants paid between 15,000 and 20,000 euros for these services through intermediaries. Upon arrival in Spain, instead of the promised jobs, they faced constant threats, surveillance cameras, and orders to lie to inspectors.
Working conditions
The workers were under round-the-clock camera surveillance and forbidden from speaking to police or inspectors. Temperatures in the bakeries exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and the sanitary conditions were so poor that the buildings teemed with insects and rodents. People worked 10 to 17 hours every day, without weekends, vacations, or even minimum pay. Some were forced to undress just to cope with the unbearable heat.
Housing was provided by the exploiters themselves—often rooms located directly at the production site or in neighboring houses. During the raids, police seized cash and documents that may become key evidence in the ongoing investigation. The operation is continuing, and further arrests are possible.
Methods of coercion
The organizers used administrative documents as a pressure tool: if a worker did not comply, they threatened to revoke their residency and work permits, meaning immediate deportation. As a result, people lived in constant fear, unable to seek help or leave their jobs.
The entire system was built on deception and intimidation. Workers were forced to conceal the truth from inspectors, and any attempts to complain were suppressed with threats. As a result, victims found themselves completely isolated and dependent on their exploiters.
Context and consequences
Such cases of labor exploitation of migrants in Spain are far from rare. In recent years, police in different regions of the country have repeatedly uncovered illegal schemes where foreigners were forced to work in agriculture, construction, and service industries without pay and in dangerous conditions. In 2024, major networks in Murcia and Almería were dismantled, where hundreds of people worked in fields and greenhouses, facing similar threats and violations.
Authorities are tightening controls, but the problem remains acute due to high demand for cheap labor and the vulnerability of migrants. Experts point out that effectively combating such crimes requires not only police action but also systematic support for victims and raising awareness about rights and protective options. Every new case highlights the importance of public attention to this issue and the need for reforms in labor migration.
