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Dozens of Indian and Nepalese migrants rescued from 24-hour working days on Murcia farm
Five people were arrested after 65 migrants were forced to work around the clock in Ulea
The National Police have rescued 65 foreign workers, mostly from India and Nepal, who were allegedly forced to work 24 hour shifts and live in degrading, filthy conditions on a farm in the Murcia town of Ulea.
Four men and one woman have been arrested in connection with the case. They are accused of crimes against the rights of foreign citizens, facilitating illegal immigration and belonging to a criminal organisation.
According to police sources, the investigation began in mid September as part of a wider operation against labour exploitation carried out in cooperation with Europol under Operation Empact.
Officers uncovered evidence that the workers were being made to work around the clock in rotating shifts under what were described as precarious and abusive conditions.During inspections carried out alongside the Labour and Social Security Inspectorate of Murcia, police found rooms on the farm being used by workers for rest and basic hygiene. These spaces were described as unsanitary, with many people crowded together at the end of their working day.
Of the five people arrested, three have been remanded in custody. Police confirmed that the alleged ringleader of the operation, who owns the company accused of exploiting the workers, was already in prison. He had recently been jailed for similar offences committed in the province of Albacete.Images: Policia Nacional
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