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Vol. 3 Issue 67 www.theolivepress.es November 8th - November 21st 2019
See pages 7 & 10
Unsavoury An investigation uncovers Mallorca restaurant serving up ‘contemporary slavery’, threats and worse EXCLUSIVE By Jacque Talbot
AN Olive Press investigation can reveal the identity of a now-notorious restaurant owner, who presided over alleged ‘slave-like’ conditions. After local media reported this week about a restaurant in Escorca that employed staff on just €2.80 an hour for up to 14-hour shifts, we can reveal the restaurant is Es Port, in Sa Calobra, owned by local businessman Pedro Vicenc. While he refused to comment this week - merely confirming his arrest
and his pending court date - we claims. spoke to other local restaurateurs The facts are simple: seven people who backed up the shocking were allegedly found to be working under ‘inhumane’ conditions. According to a police investigation they received just €40-a-day without proper breaks and under a ‘climate of fear’. The restaurant ‘took advantage’ of the seven ‘immigrants’, who felt forced to accept the slave-like conditions and work, usually six days a week. One local restaurant owner, who asked not to be named, told the Olive Press: “I don’t recall seeing a single Spaniard or Mallorquin working there. All workers looked like they came from Morocco. “There were always a lot of strange goings-on at that restaurant. It’s been very unsettling.” Another, who has known the owner for years, said: “It’s a disgrace and has been going on for years, along with various other things. “I am so pleased it is finally being dealt with.” He revealed how over a dozen police swooped the restaurant Untitled-1.pdf 1 on 16/06/2017 15:36 about three weeks ago. Mayor of Escorca Antoni Solivel-
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las said it was an embarrassment for the resort and that Vicenc had been known for his ‘modus operandi’ for some time. His downfall came a few days after plainclothes cops had staked out the joint. Official court documents show that the staff were under constant threat of dismissal and forced to lie about any accidents at work. They were also refused holidays and often had to juggle multiple jobs as cooks, cleaners and maintenance staff. Staff were forced to sign off their criminally-low payslips or face the threat of being sacked.
Meanwhile Albert Rivera’s Ciudadanos will be reduced from 57 to 14. In the 40dB poll Vox is set to gain 14% of the vote, alongside the PP in second place with 21.2% and 91 seats and the PSOE coming first with 27.3% and 121 votes. The PSOE’s predicted victory would see the party with two less seats than in April’s last election, prompting another headache for its leader Pedro Sanchez as he tries to form a government. Opinion page 6
Keys Isl nd to the
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The restaurant, which is in the heart of the port of scenic Sa Calobra, is administered under the company name Colobra SL. Owner Vicenc told the Olive Press last night: “I can’t say anything now. People can hear what I have to say when I’m in court.” He was arrested along with two other bosses, who have also been charged with crimes against workers’ rights Police rumbled the operation following a tip off in September.
It’s Sophie’s Choice
Amanda Butler wonders who on earth to vote for in the forthcoming UK elections See page 14
Opinion page 6
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A DANGEROUS lurch to the right could see Spain’s anti-immigrant Vox party becoming the kingmakers in this weekend’s general election. The massive surge - off the back of the recent Catalan crisis and a fear of Islam - could see the party seizing 15% of the seats in Parliament. The expected gains will seriously damage centre-right Ciudadanos, which could lose over half its seats, while the ruling PSOE and left wing Podemos are also expected to suffer. Vox, which has pledged to ‘defend’ Spain from immigrants, is predicted to finish third in the country’s fourth general election in as many years. The latest polling suggests Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, will increase its 24 seats in Spain’s 350-seat parliament to 46.
Failed
IDYLLIC: Yet seven ‘slaves’ were forced to work 14-hour days metres from Sa Calobra beach
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