In Diyarbakır, a major operation led by the National Police resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals connected to labor exploitation schemes at equestrian centers across the region. The suspect pool includes eight employers and nine workers who were detained for offenses tied to workers’ rights violations and irregular employment. The operation also involved a woman who was found working within one of the centers as part of the broader crackdown. Authorities noted that several facilities were found to be operating with kitchens that lacked basic hygiene and sanitary controls, raising immediate health and safety concerns for those employed there. The information comes from official police briefings and follows ongoing inquiries into labor abuses affecting foreign workers and minors in the sector [National Police briefing].
Investigators disclosed that the focus extended beyond individual incidents to look at systemic practices within the centers. Eight employers were arrested on charges related to violations of workers’ rights, while nine employees faced allegations connected to irregular immigration status and breaches of labor regulations. The arrests underscore a broader pattern of noncompliance with labor laws, social security obligations, and immigration regulations observed in the sector [Public prosecutor’s office report].
One notable finding involved a woman employed at one of the centers who was identified as an unaccompanied foreign minor. This detail prompted immediate protective measures and highlighted the vulnerability of minors in the context of labor exploitation. Authorities stressed that the case illustrates how violations can intersect with child protection concerns, adding an urgent dimension to the enforcement actions [Social services citation].
As the investigation progressed, agents uncovered that kitchens within several facilities were operated without proper hygiene standards or sanitary oversight. The lack of basic cleanliness and health controls posed risks not only to workers but also to the welfare of anyone using the facilities. Such conditions are commonly associated with broader public health concerns, and they reinforce the need for rigorous inspection protocols in workplaces housing workers who may be undocumented or undocumented workers who lack formal records [Public health agency note].
The investigation began in mid February, spurred by reports that workers at certain equestrian centers could be subjected to abuse. To verify these concerns, officers from the Provincial Immigration and Border Brigade collaborated with the Madrid Provincial Inspectorate of Labor and Social Security to carry out a coordinated inspection on March 16. The operation covered eleven equestrian centers located in different towns within the Community of Madrid, and investigators confirmed that a cumulative total of 25 companies were operating within the sector in the area [Police operation summary].
Working in inhumane conditions
Researchers and authorities documented a troubling pattern: foreigners employed without proper processing in Social Security, often living under precarious conditions and facing irregular immigration status. These factors contribute to illegal recruitment, underemployment, and the erosion of social welfare protections. In other words, the actions under review reflect multiple layers of noncompliance that strain the labor market, distort competition, and undermine legitimate employment practices [Labour inspectorate report].
As a consequence of the inspections, one unaccompanied foreign child was placed under protective care after being found working at one of the facilities. This outcome underscores how labor violations can overlap with child protection issues, leading to prompt social services involvement to safeguard the minor’s wellbeing [Child protection authority statement].
Further inspections revealed that several kitchen facilities operated without sufficient hygiene and sanitary controls, subjecting workers to unhealthy and potentially unsafe working conditions. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining clean, compliant workplaces, especially in environments tied to food handling and public health concerns. The procedural results from the operation include the arrest of 17 people in total: eight employers charged with crimes against workers’ rights and nine employees charged for breaches of immigration law, illustrating the breadth of the enforcement action and its aim to address both labor violations and unlawful employment practices [Official police press release].