The Las Palmas Prosecutor’s Office begins an investigation into alleged illegal employment of migrant minors
The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Las Palmas has initiated an investigation against the president of the Coordinator of Farmers and Livestock Organizations (COAG) in the Canary Islands, Rafael Hernández, for an alleged crime related to the illegal employment of migrant minors.
According to the complaint received, Rafael Hernández would have used minor migrants from a reception center in the capital of Gran Canaria to work on his farms illegally. These minors, housed in the Tagoror center in Gran Canaria, run by Hernández’s daughter and under the guardianship of the Government of the Canary Islands, were allegedly taken to work on the farms, receiving a payment of between 20 and 25 euros for long working hours. In addition, it is alleged that money was deducted from them if their behavior at the center was not considered appropriate.
Alleged complicity and reactions
The alleged complicity of a relative of Hernández and a social worker from the semi-open detention center in these illegal activities is mentioned, according to reports from Canarias7.
Rafael Hernández, who also chairs the Asociación Oportunidades de Vida, has denied the accusations, stating that COAG offered a pilot training program for migrant minors last year, with government subsidy and approval of the corresponding inspections. He claims that some training practices were carried out on his farm, but denies having illegally hired anyone.
Reaction of the Government of the Canary Islands
Given these events, the Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children and Families of the Government of the Canary Islands, Candelaria Delgado, has requested information from the Prosecutor’s Office about the case. She stated that they are waiting for details from the Prosecutor’s Office to determine if they should take action in this regard.
