More than 500 people linked to delivery operations across several outfits have become part of a broader investigation into labor practices. The inquiry, conducted by the Labor Inspectorate, a body connected to the Generalitat of Catalonia, has led to proposed penalties totaling 5.8 million euros. The focus centers on a major e-commerce platform and seventeen subcontractors involved in the arrangement, which the inspectorate says included illegal transfers of workers.
The Ministry of Labor and Employment reports that sanctions are being considered against Amazon’s Spanish logistics entity, Amazon Road Freight Spain SL, amounting to about 3.2 million euros, with an additional 2.6 million euros directed at the remaining companies. Among the other entities named are Tips, Intermediate Crane, Internet Commerce Solutions, Transportcat Logistics, and several employment outsourcing firms such as Randstad.
The Labor Inspectorate found that workers, numbering 559, were employed under conditions that fell short of the standards required for their roles, and that these personnel were hired directly by the multinational company. As a result, the penalties are expected to apply to all parties involved in the chain.
The statement notes that the investigation, which began in Barcelona last February, uncovered that at least 559 workers had been assigned distribution duties under conditions described as insecure. The concerns highlighted include inconsistent monthly salaries and general job instability, along with the absence of proper legal representation for the workers.
Officials indicate that a one-time action can lead to claims against every company in the network, with the competent authority allowed six months to determine the suitability of the proposed fines.
Previous sanctions
The case is not the first instance of public authorities pursuing penalties related to the business model of large delivery platforms. In June 2020, the Labor Inspectorate accused Amazon and four other delivery firms of similar violations, with Ara Vinc previously among those sanctioned. As ACN news agency recalls, the Generalitat issued twenty sanctions against Amazon for breaching business regulations, totaling 1.1 million euros between 2019 and 2021. A dozen of these cases involved illegal postings of workers.
Additionally, in this state-level matter, the Labor Inspectorate concluded that around 4,000 Amazon delivery personnel operating between Madrid and Barcelona in October 2020 were misclassified as self-employed workers. If their findings are upheld, Amazon could face a social security contribution obligation of approximately 6 million euros. Earlier this year, the Data Protection Agency (AEPD) fined the same Spanish subsidiary 2 million euros for collecting information on workers’ criminal records.