Spanish police have arrested two businessmen in Mallorca for their involvement in a criminal network that exploited Moroccan seasonal workers and promoted irregular migration. The men, who own an agricultural company, face charges of charging Moroccan workers exorbitant fees for work contracts and extorting additional payments for legalizing their status in Spain. A total of 26 workers fell victim to this network, which is accused of human trafficking and labor exploitation.
Migration expert Khalid Mouna highlighted the widespread issue of trafficking work contracts abroad, not only in Spain but in other European countries as well. These networks target individuals who can afford to pay for work contracts in foreign countries, leading to poor working conditions and violations of labor agreements. Despite concerns over the impact on regions reliant on foreign agricultural labor, there is a lack of intervention from Moroccan authorities to defend workers’ rights abroad.