300 euros per month for seven days a week; That was the salary received by the workers, who were kept in an irregular situation and without a contract. They even had to go to work when they were sick.
The National Police have arrested a couple, owners of a farm in Zerain where Idiazabal cheese is made exploit their employees. those who were held in an irregular situation and without a contract. The employees were paid 300 or 400 euros per month for a working period of seven days a week. After testifying in court, the couple was released.
Xabier Arrutiregional deputy for Green Territorial Balance, has stated that “these types of situations are absolutely unjustifiable and do not represent the reality of the cheese sector, nor of the first sector in general.
In the same note, the President of the Idiazabal Cheese Denomination of Origin said: Felix Ajuriahas pointed out that “it includes defending the sustainability of the sector, including social decent and legal working conditionsboth for the owners of livestock and cheese factories and for their employees.”
As the National Police said in a statement, the investigation began on May 29 following a request from the Provincial Labor and Social Security Inspectorate of Gipuzkoa regarding a hamlet in Zerain where ‘Aranburu’ cheese is made, under the name Idiazabal. designation of origin.
After preliminary investigation, investigators found that the workers dedicated to the care and cleaning of a flock of latxa sheep, protected by the Idiazabal Designation of Origin. At the time of the inspection, the police found four employees, three of whom were in an irregular situation, who did not have an employment contract and were not affiliated with Social Security.
According to the employees’ statements, working hours were seven days a week without the possibility of rest, even when sick, and they received a salary between 300 and 400 euros per month, “depending on the will of the owners. ” “.
On June 5, the National Police arrested the couple who owned the hamlet, which was placed at the disposal of the Guard Investigative Court of Tolosa (Gipuzkoa).
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
