Top: migrant workers in El Nazareno. Below: families in the
shantytowns of La Molineta (left) and Don Domingo
“The pandemic has exacerbated the unacceptable conditions facing migrant workers and the
Spanish government must urgently act. But two-thirds of all fruit and vegetables consumed
across Europe and the UK come from these greenhouses and all the companies and retailers up
these supply chains have a responsibility to these workers as well,” he says.
Spain is experiencing the highest numbers of new Covid-19 infections in Europe, with the
province of Almería recording more than 100 new cases a day.
Despite the local government in Almería claiming that the virus has not reached the plastic
settlements, there have been multiple outbreaks on farms across the province and in the cortijos,
the dilapidated housing blocks near the farms in which workers live.
As Covid-19 infections rise, medical charities such as as Médicos del Mundo are supplying masks,
gloves and temperature checks in the settlements in scenes more reminiscent of a disaster zone
than one of the richest countries in the world.
Medical charities provide support in El Nazareno and (bottom right)
Don Domingo
“People want to protect themselves, but they cannot”, says Almudena Puertas from the NGO
Cáritas. “They are here because there is work and we need them.”
In the past month, the local government in Andalucía has allocated €1.1m to create better health
and safety conditions, but critics say they have yet to see any significant improvements.