FC Barcelona are back playing at their stadium, and while fans celebrated the long-awaited return “home”, the renovation works have been overshadowed by a growing scandal over working conditions on site.

Million-euro fine for employing undocumented workers

As reported by El Periódico and later confirmed by the ACN agency, the Labour Inspectorate of the Generalitat de Catalunya has imposed a €1.09 million fine on Extreme Works, a subcontractor hired by the Turkish company Limak, responsible for the Camp Nou redevelopment. The reason: 79 Turkish workers were found to be employed without the required permits.

The investigation was launched after a complaint filed in September by the CCOO union. The inspection confirmed 79 very serious violations of labour regulations. The new sanction adds to previous penalties imposed on several other Limak subcontractors — now exceeding €3 million and covering more than 200 infringements.

According to the inspectorate, the Turkish workers had been on site for months without legal authorisation. Some only discovered their status when attempting to travel back home and were stopped at the airport after being informed they had no right to work in Spain. The company had allegedly assured them their documents were in order.

After the workers sought union support, Extreme Works began dismissing them in batches — often just days before scheduled protests outside the stadium. The subcontractor claims the layoffs were due to work phases ending, but CCOO has filed lawsuits for wrongful dismissal.

© FC Barcelona

Attempts to downplay the violations and workers stuck in limbo

The Generalitat’s findings indicate that the company attempted to minimise the issue, insisting it involved only a handful of workers with incomplete paperwork. The inspection categorically rejected that version.

A number of workers remain in Barcelona and are now trying to regularise their stay, citing long-term residence in Spain. Until recently they had been housed in apartments and hotels paid for by the company, but the workers were informed they would have to leave. Their administrative situation is now being handled by the Policía Nacional and the Delegación del Gobierno.

© FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona responds

Asked about the matter, the club stated that it remains fully committed to respecting labour rights and the dignity of all workers on its premises. Barça also stressed that it requires all collaborating companies to comply strictly with the law, including immigration regulations, and has requested complete clarification from the contractor following the announcement of the fine.