An inspection of a warehouse in Cadaval, Lisbon district, was conducted by the National Republican Guard (GNR) this Friday, uncovering a situation of illegal labor, with the findings referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In a statement to Notícias ao Minuto, a GNR spokesperson shared details following an investigation prompted by a complaint.
The operation included personnel from the Cadaval Territorial Post, the Territorial Immigration Supervision Nucleus of Lisbon and Santarém, and operatives from the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF).
Who are these people?
According to GNR’s report to Notícias ao Minuto, out of the 69 individuals identified, one is of Portuguese nationality, while the remaining 68 are of other nationalities, specifically from Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The individuals, aged between 16 and 24, are students from vocational schools “from various parts of the country,” believed to have gathered at the warehouse during a “holiday period” to earn some money.
Among the 26 men and 43 women at the site, who were sleeping in tents, there were 13 minors.
The GNR detailed that most of the individuals are from São Tomé (66), with two from Cape Verde, and one having obtained Portuguese nationality.
Identifications and “precarious” conditions
The GNR identified two individuals: one responsible for recruiting these workers, notably through social media, and the person registered as the owner of the company for which these individuals were working.
The illegal labor was associated with agricultural activities, particularly pear picking in the Cadaval and Torres Vedras areas.
There were no contracts, and as seen in images, living conditions for these individuals were precarious.
