Foreigners and Borders Service officers carried out an inspection to see if workers leaving agricultural sites were registered and legally present in the country.
The answer was ‘no’ for many after vehicles were stopped in the Armação de Pêra area of the Silves municipality.
The SEF reported that about 50 foreign workers, working for seven different service companies, were questioned and their documents checked. Two were not legally resident in Portugal and have to leave under their own steam, or be ejected.
The operation, which had the willing help of the GNR, took place at several exit points from farm and intensive growing areas and targeted workers’ vehicles.
An inspection team from Social Security was on hand to check for irregularities. Some of those stopped were working but declaring no income.
The SEF explained that this type of joint action, "aims to control foreigners being here who shouldn’t be, as well as checking that those legally here are being employed legally and that their employers are paying social security."
“This prevents situations of exploitation and trafficking in persons and of people being unprotected," concluded the SEF.
