Abusive working conditions rampant in Spanish strawberry farms, report says
Abusive conditions are endemic in parts of Spain's fruit sector, according to a new report, with workers telling the Guardian they have been routinely underpaid and forced to live in dilapidated shacks .
During the winter, at least 60% of the strawberries consumed in the UK are likely to come from vast farms in the province of Huelva in the southwest of Spain. In 2020, the UK imported €310m (£272m) worth of fruit from the Andalusia region, 91% of which is believed to be grown in Huelva.
But the fruits - the region's workforce - dominated by migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa - are often paid less than minimum wage and must work unpaid overtime, according to a new report from the Ethical Consumer organization.
< p class="dcr-n6w1lc">Some workers also allege that they are suspended for up to three days pay if they fail to meet employers' demands, are prevented to use the restroom and are denied their passport or salary to continue working."This is not a one-time farm, this is not a supplier casual - it's prevalent in major export areas," said Jasmine Owens, one of the report's authors. .
During a recent visit to Huelva region, the Guardian spoke to 10 laborers and two former farmhands. Nine of the workers claimed they were paid less than the legal daily minimum, which now stands at €51.15 (£45).
Every morning Aziza , a 53-year-old woman - former undocumented worker from Morocco, has been walking...
Abusive conditions are endemic in parts of Spain's fruit sector, according to a new report, with workers telling the Guardian they have been routinely underpaid and forced to live in dilapidated shacks .
During the winter, at least 60% of the strawberries consumed in the UK are likely to come from vast farms in the province of Huelva in the southwest of Spain. In 2020, the UK imported €310m (£272m) worth of fruit from the Andalusia region, 91% of which is believed to be grown in Huelva.
But the fruits - the region's workforce - dominated by migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa - are often paid less than minimum wage and must work unpaid overtime, according to a new report from the Ethical Consumer organization.
< p class="dcr-n6w1lc">Some workers also allege that they are suspended for up to three days pay if they fail to meet employers' demands, are prevented to use the restroom and are denied their passport or salary to continue working."This is not a one-time farm, this is not a supplier casual - it's prevalent in major export areas," said Jasmine Owens, one of the report's authors. .
During a recent visit to Huelva region, the Guardian spoke to 10 laborers and two former farmhands. Nine of the workers claimed they were paid less than the legal daily minimum, which now stands at €51.15 (£45).
Every morning Aziza , a 53-year-old woman - former undocumented worker from Morocco, has been walking...
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