A Romanian businessman operating in Mallorca through the National Police of Manacor was arrested after a probe into a scheme that paid workers one euro per hour. The suspect, who is under an international warrant to serve a sentence in his home country, allegedly enticed workers to relocate to Mallorca with promises of favorable conditions. Once on the island, the reality proved far harsher, with months of work at wages far below expectations and demanding schedules that reached up to fifty hours per week. The man faces charges related to violations of workers’ rights. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
The investigation stretched over six months and culminated in an inquest at the start of the month, as disclosed by the National Police yesterday. The accused was detained in Santa Ponça, Calvià. Investigators learned that Romanian workers, recruited for construction work, were lured with assurances of decent living conditions, a residence permit, high salaries, and potential alimony. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
The defendant provided detailed guidance on how to travel, which documents to carry, and what to say to cross borders without trouble, presenting himself as a tourist. Upon arrival in Manacor, the workers were assigned to hotel construction and renovation tasks. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
In reality, working conditions diverged dramatically from those promised. Hours exceeded a fifty-hour weekly cap, and the monthly pay failed to reach two hundred and fifty euros. Some victims reportedly received as little as fifty euros each month. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
Investigators were surprised by the use of workers in irregular legal situations in Spain for purposes tied to demonstrations at a local hotel. The individual allegedly sought to harvest protests by promising salary payments in exchange for participation, distributing T-shirts and banners, and coordinating with media to amplify their demands. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
So far, six victims have been identified. The precarious state of these workers, already lacking resources in Spain, was compounded by travel and accommodation costs incurred during their stay. They also lacked residence permits, limiting their ability to earn legally. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
The suspect, arrested on the seventh of the month, was referred to the Criminal Court of First Instance. A request for extradition to serve a prison sentence was made, and the judge ordered admission to Palma’s prison complex. (Source: National Police of Manacor)
Romanian authorities had recently issued an international search warrant following the suspect’s escape after being convicted of smuggling. (Source: National Police of Manacor)