Café owner arrested for exploiting foreign workers in Fuerteventura
A café owner in Puerto del Rosario, on the island of Fuerteventura, has been arrested by the Policía Nacional for exploiting several foreign women who were working without legal papers. The arrest followed a complaint from one of the women, who told police she had been forced to work without a contract, do long shifts, and accept threats from her boss. She said she was earning far less than the legal minimum wage.
Investigators later found two more women who said they had also worked at the same café, earning between €400 and €600 a month. They explained they had no holidays, no rest days, and were constantly afraid of being reported to immigration.
According to the police, the owner used their vulnerable situation to control them. He allegedly threatened to report them to the authorities and even tried to get personal favours in return for not doing so.
The man was arrested on 1st October and taken before a judge, accused of violating workers’ rights. The investigation is still ongoing to find out if more victims were involved.
Over the past few years, police have carried out several investigations into businesses exploiting vulnerable workers, particularly in the hospitality sector. Authorities have reported incidents in tourist areas of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, where foreign workers, often without legal residency, were made to work long hours for very low pay, sometimes without contracts or basic employment rights.
These investigations have led to arrests, fines, and in some cases the closure of businesses found guilty of labour exploitation.
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