CCOO Catalonia Protests Labor Rights Violations at Camp Nou

On Wednesday, CCOO de Cataluña set up an indefinite camp outside Camp Nou to protest against alleged layoffs occurring during the renovation of FC Barcelona’s stadium.

The union announced that it will hold daily gatherings at 7:45 AM on Avenida Joan XXIII, near La Masia, until a resolution is found for what it describes as a “serious and growing violation of labor rights” taking place at the Camp Nou construction site.

According to the union, recent layoffs of workers from Ramstar have compounded previous reports of dismissals at Ekstreme Works, a subcontractor for Limak, affecting an additional thirty employees.

CCOO has highlighted that these workers, similar to those at Ekstreme Works, are in an irregular administrative situation, have been working for months without receiving their due wages, and have faced termination after asserting their rights.

The organization further stated that Ramstar employees are being pressured to vacate the hostel where they have resided for nearly two years, worsening what CCOO describes as a situation of “social and labor vulnerability.”

CCOO demands immediate action from the Labor Inspectorate in light of the severity and recurrence of violations against labor law, social security regulations, and occupational safety standards.

Additionally, the union holds Limak, as the primary contractor, accountable for these labor law violations, ultimately directing blame towards FC Barcelona. CCOO is urging the Barcelona City Council to intervene urgently, mediate the conflict, or suspend the construction permit if there is no resolution to the “recurring and serious” labor violations.

In statements to the press, CCOO de Cataluña’s Secretary General, Belén López, urged FC Barcelona to “put an end to the systematic irregularities and violations of labor rights occurring in the works of its stadium” and called for greater accountability from the club.

CCOO has established several tents in front of the Camp Nou construction site, where a group of protestors has gathered to voice their concerns regarding labor law non-compliance.

In November, the Catalan Labor Inspectorate proposed a fine of €1.09 million against Ekstreme Works for employing workers without the necessary permits. The inspection identified 79 breaches of immigration law, classified as “very serious,” involving foreign employees lacking administrative authorization to work legally.