Police have identified more than 300 potential victims, a large number of whom, officials have confirmed, are Nepali citizens.
What you should know
Nepali workers in Spain have been exposed as modern-day slaves in the agricultural sector. The mystery came to light after Spanish police arrested an 11-member gang that was allegedly employing migrant workers, including more than 300 Nepalis, in conditions where they were treated like slaves.
Police have identified more than 300 potential victims. The vast majority of them are Nepalese, authorities have confirmed.
In a public statement on Thursday (December 4), police said most of the migrants were originally from Nepal. The migrants, who entered the Schengen area on tourist visas, were taken to villages in the Alicante, Valencia and Zaragoza regions and forced to work on agricultural farms. Police seized cash, fake documents and mobile phones from the raids.
According to police, the migrants were kept in cramped, air-conditioned rooms. Some slept on the floor, but were charged exorbitant fees for accommodation, transport and food.
12-hour work, zero pay
The migrants were subjected to what rights groups describe as “forced labour”. Many were forced to work in the fields for up to 12 hours a day, many were not paid at all. They also had limited access to toilets. According to the news agency AP, their accommodation was completely ‘inhuman and disrespectful’.
Although they were given accommodation in the Albacete region of southeastern Spain, they were taken to work in vans on farms in different provinces every day. The police said that the vans lacked basic safety standards. A Nepali man was killed in one of the van accidents. His identity has not been made public.
Of the 322 migrants found, 294 did not have the necessary documents to live and work in Spain.
Nepali victims also in Europol’s multinational operation
Spanish police participated in Europol’s multinational operation in early November. The operation, which was carried out in 32 countries, identified 404 migrant worker victims and 93 people involved.
Europol said that the conditions of migrants found near Seville were also found to be similar to recent incidents.
In a statement issued on November 6, Europol said, “During a joint operation in an agricultural area in Seville, a Nepali citizen was found to be a victim of human trafficking, including labor exploitation. He was rescued after an inspection at a kebab restaurant. The victim was found to be living in inhumane, unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. He has been placed in secure accommodation by the police.”
According to Europol, three separate investigations have also been launched into five workers working without a labor contract. Spanish police said, “The victim has been placed in safe custody, and the incident is being investigated in detail.”
