The former Deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, is once again at the centre of controversy after being reported by the National Confederation of Labour (CNT) for alleged labour exploitation practices at his establishment, the Garibaldi Tavern, located in Madrid. According to the statement issued by the CNT, workers face shifts that reach up to 14 hours, in addition to conditions described as "degrading treatment" by the managers of the establishment.
Complaints and critical working conditions
The complaint comes a year after a union section was established at the Garibaldi Tavern with the aim of improving working conditions and defending employees' rights. However, the union claims that the gap between discourse and working reality is unsustainable. In their statement, the CNT notes that they have submitted multiple proposals to improve the situation, including timely delivery of schedules and payslips, as well as a transparent system for time control.
Despite these efforts, workers continue to face organisational changes without proper planning and a repeated failure to comply with basic labour rights. The CNT emphasises that "we cannot accept that spaces that claim to be progressive maintain labour dynamics that reproduce exactly what they say they are fighting against."
Meanwhile, the staff continues to endure shifts of up to 12 and 14 hours…
The union has also stressed the urgent need to implement a Protocol against Machista Violence within the workplace. Despite having requested this measure numerous times, it has yet to materialise.
Iglesias is not unfamiliar with such accusations; as early as the beginning of 2025, he faced conflicts related to the very creation of this union section. Employees had begun to organise to fight against any violation of their rights and seek improvements in their working conditions. This new complaint once again brings to light the contradictions between his political discourse and the business practices at the helm of the establishment.
Political coherence is not measured by what is proclaimed from a stage or a social network…
From the CNT, they have made their commitment clear: "We will continue to organise, we will continue to denounce, and we will continue to fight until labour dignity is no longer a promise." These words reflect a growing frustration among workers who feel that their rights are being ignored.
The accusations against Iglesias are part of a broader phenomenon where many workers in Spain have begun to raise their voices against what they consider systematic abuses within the labour sphere. The fight for better conditions has gained momentum, especially among those sectors linked to progressive social and political movements. This particular case highlights how even those spaces considered refuges for progressive ideals may be far from upholding those same principles internally.
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