The alleged perpetrators are the manager of a fruit company and the person in charge of the agricultural operation.
The Fraga Civil Guard Post, within the framework of Operation AGER, proceeded to investigate two people as alleged perpetrators of a crime against workers' rights; in addition, one of them was charged with a crime of coercion, events that occurred in the Bajo Cinca region.
These actions are taking place due to the intensification of services related to the fruit harvesting campaign in the Bajo Cinca region, which are carried out within the framework of the collaboration agreement between the Secretary of State for Security and the Labor and Social Security Inspectorate, with the aim of improving the protection of workers and strengthening the detection of possible situations of labor exploitation.
On May 20th, at the Fraga Civil Guard station, three workers from a fruit company in the Bajo Cinca region reported violations of their labor rights. They stated that they were being subjected to continuous abusive working conditions, workdays that did not respect the established rest periods, and degrading treatment by the person in charge of the fields. They also reported that they were being housed in accommodation provided by the company that lacked the minimum conditions of habitability, sanitation, and hygiene. A fourth complaint was subsequently filed.
In response to these reported incidents, the Fraga police station launched an investigation to clarify the facts, coordinating directly with the Provincial Labor and Social Security Inspectorate of Huesca. An urgent, on-site labor inspection was planned and carried out at the fruit farm under investigation. Inspectors gathered evidence that corroborated the victims' complaints, confirming the existence of labor law violations.
Simultaneously, an inspection was organized in collaboration with the Social Services of the Bajo Cinca Region, a specialist urban planning technician from the Fraga City Council and officers of the Fraga Local Police, proceeding to the formal inspection of the property assigned as accommodation for the complaining victims, verifying the overcrowding conditions and the existence of security cameras that violate the current regulations in this regard as well as the right to privacy of the residents.
Finally, on May 30, agents from the Fraga station proceeded to investigate the manager of the contracting fruit company as a possible perpetrator of a crime against workers' rights, being a 56-year-old man and resident of the Bajo Cinca region.
Days later, on June 02nd, the investigation of the person in charge of the agricultural operation was carried out as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of coercion and another against the rights of workers, as a necessary collaborator, being a 56-year-old man and resident of the province of Lleida.
Through an NGO, comprehensive assistance and relocation of the victims was provided, and the regional social services collaborated in all assistance and verification of the situation of the workers in the social sphere.
The Civil Guard station in Fraga prepared the proceedings, which were sent to the Court of First Instance in Fraga, leaving the investigated parties with the obligation to appear when the Judicial Authority deems it appropriate.
