The Labor Inspectorate of the Generalitat has completed most of its work at the Camp Nou project and identified several irregularities and cases of potential fraud. About twenty of nearly 45 subcontractor firms that have participated in the construction of the new Barça stadium were scrutinized. Labor authorities detected incompatibilities in roughly half of these companies. The investigations echo the concerns raised last November by EL PERIÓDICO of the Prensa Ibérica group. In particular, subcontractors are not paying employees the full sums owed or are failing to contribute to Social Security, prompting audits that demand payment of outstanding amounts to workers.
Wages that fall short of contractual terms and hours worked beyond declared limits were the primary issues found by the Generalitat’s sub-inspections among the subcontractors. The Limak-affiliated Turkish firm involved in the Camp Nou renovation was among those cited. The same violations were reported by numerous workers interviewed over five months, prompting government and parliamentary attention to the work along Arístides Maillol Boulevard in Barcelona.
In recent weeks, the labor agency began notifying the firms it identified for potential fraud or irregularities, requesting corrective actions and payment of debts. Each company must assume responsibility for its own breaches, and while no single total has been published, sources estimate the aggregate sum could reach hundreds of thousands of euros given the scale of the project and the hundreds of workers involved.
Investigations show daily work exceeding ten hours and weekly totals surpassing fifty hours in some cases, with salary levels often above or around a €1,000 monthly threshold yet not aligned with the contractual framework. The Camp Nou subcontractors consistently underpaid on payslips, with wage losses reaching several hundred euros per month according to documents reviewed by the press. The irregularities reflect failures to apply the correct collective bargaining terms for the Barcelona province and improper payroll documentation that concealed lower earnings.
These findings reveal a pattern of non-compliance that involved both wage miscalculations and shortfalls in employer Social Security contributions. Discrepancies between what workers received in their pay and what appeared in their bank statements were also noted. Over recent weeks, the Labor Inspectorate has pressed for rectify actions and for workers to be paid what they are owed. The situation translates into reduced current pay, less state revenue, and diminished future benefits for workers in the event of disability or retirement.
When approached for comment, the Turkish firm stated that Limak maintains ongoing communication with the labor authority and will await the final results in a respectful manner. The public has been informed that inspections at Camp Nou are ongoing, with some actions still in a confidential phase, except for mandatory disclosures. Ministry spokespeople indicate that proceedings will continue with both parties involved.
All details are in the Parliament
The labor authorities have not shied away from past irregularities at Camp Nou, but this latest wave marks the broadest set of actions so far. In September of the previous year, a routine audit uncovered an employee of Pak Reforma Y Obra SL impersonating another person, and the actual worker reported did not have the proper authorization to work. Identity fraud has appeared in other sectors, including healthcare contextually, and experienced construction workers say undocumented workers often exchange work permits for a portion of their salary. Limak initially denied irregularities but later acknowledged that the audit flagged issues with the subcontractor, resulting in dismissal of the offending party.
At present, the labor authority has issued notices to most contractors, who must decide whether to settle their debts, challenge the findings, or pursue legal remedies. Barça bears no responsibility for Social Security payments; Limak and the main contractor subcontracted the work due to the tender are responsible for the irregularities, and if any subcontractors fail to settle, the Turkish firm ultimately faces accountability. The bulk of evidence supporting the inspectors’ filings was collected during the macro operation conducted on 22 November 2023, two days after EL PERIÓDICO published initial material. The director general of the Generalitat Labor Inspectorate awaits a final briefing, with parliamentary groups seeking involvement from the Empresa i Treball commission to respond to outstanding questions about public funding for related projects and past incidents, including a mine accident in Súria. A director general appointment could occur before the end of March, according to parliamentary sources, as the inquiry advances to its next phase.