Situation of Zumosol workers in Palma del Río

Question for written answer  E-002630/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left)

In August 2020, Citrosuco Spain S.L.U. informed its workers that their contracts were to be terminated and of their subrogation to Zumos Palma S.L.U.. In September that year, however, the company denied them entry to the workplace and opened a stream of short-time work scheme (ERTE) procedures which, according to several court rulings, failed to meet the conditions laid down by the administration for these to apply. The main issue is that one subrogation has come on the heels of another, meaning that the different companies taking over the production plant have taken no steps to resolve the ongoing labour dispute. Since then, 38 workers have been in limbo, as they are not entitled either to their monthly salary or to unemployment benefits, which is creating very serious legal and financial uncertainty. Can the Commission therefore state:

• 1.whether this situation does not constitute a violation of the fundamental rights of workers, given that Articles 27 and 30 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantee workers’ right to information and consultation within the undertaking and the right to protection in the event of unjustified dismissal;
• 2.if so, can the EU investigate this case of fraudulent conduct?