Illegal labour in Barcelona’s Opium Mar Club
April 17, 2008
What was formerly known as Baja Beach Club allegedly had nine illegal workers under their roof. The National police squad had suspected the irregularity for a while and on the 20th entered the restaurant-discotheque in Barcelona’s’ notorious Port Olympic area and arrested the employees and the owners of the premises.
The “Unidad Contra las Redes de Inmigración y Falsedades (UCRIF)” - the unit against illegal immigration traps and falsehood - were invigilating Opium Mar for some time and concluded that some workers were carrying out building and waiting work illegally. The moment the search was carried out there were 23 employees present, some has papers but no contracts.
The police, which acted together with the “Inspección de Trabajo” (workers inspections), asked the employees what their work situation was; some were paid weekly and others monthly by closed envelope with 24 Euros a day, 410 Euros a week, 900 and 1.200 a month. On the other hand, if they are fired, they do not get any indemnity or any social security assistance or unemployment benefits.
Nine of the arrested were charged with infringement of the Ley de Extranjería (Law of foreigners). Days later, the police arrested the two brothers, shareholders of Opium Mar, the manager of the employees and the majority partner until 2007 when the premises were sold. All of these have been presently released with charges.
Ramón, one of the owners of the club, insisted that his workers were in the process of regularisation and were earning a “reasonable” amount of money.
Written by Sophie · Filed Under Business
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