Protests Erupt Over Labor Rights Violations at Camp Nou Construction Site

On Wednesday, the CCOO union of Catalonia established an indefinite protest camp outside Camp Nou, voicing concerns over layoffs they claim are occurring in the ongoing renovation of the FC Barcelona stadium.

The union announced that it will hold daily demonstrations at 7:45 AM on Avenida Joan XXIII, in front of La Masia, until a resolution is reached regarding what they describe as a “serious and increasing violation of labor rights” in the Camp Nou construction work.

According to the union, the layoffs reported from Ekstreme Works, a subcontractor for Limak, have recently been compounded by additional dismissals from Ramstar, affecting approximately thirty more workers.

CCOO has alleged that these workers, like those from Ekstreme Works, are in an irregular administrative situation, having worked for months without receiving their due salaries, and were terminated after asserting their rights.

Furthermore, it has been reported that Ramstar employees “are being pressured to vacate the hostel where they have resided for nearly two years,” exacerbating a situation that CCOO deems socially and laborally vulnerable.

In response, CCOO is urging the Labor Inspectorate to take immediate action, citing the seriousness and recurrence of violations of labor legislation and Social Security regulations.

The union holds Limak, the primary contractor, accountable for these infractions and ultimately points to FC Barcelona, calling on the City Council of Barcelona to intervene urgently and mediate in the conflict, or to suspend the construction license if a resolution is not achieved concerning the “repeated and serious” violations of labor laws.

During a press conference, Belén López, the General Secretary of CCOO of Catalonia, demanded that FC Barcelona “put an end to the systematic irregularities and violations of labor rights occurring in the construction of its stadium” and urged them not to remain indifferent.

CCOO has set up several tents outside the Camp Nou construction site, where a group organized by the union has protested against the noncompliance with labor regulations.

In November, the Labor Inspectorate of the Generalitat proposed a fine of €1.09 million against Ekstreme Works, one of the subcontractors for the Camp Nou renovations, for employing workers without the necessary permits.

The inspection identified 79 very serious violations related to immigration laws concerning as many employees who were foreign nationals working without the proper administrative authorization.