Peruvian Drivers Face Exploitation

Spanish companies are allegedly exploiting the shortage of drivers by bringing in personnel from Peru under illegal contracts that force them to settle millions in debt, sometimes involving passport retention.

The lack of drivers in Spain, which requires about **30.000** professionals to meet demand, is leading companies to seek labor abroad. The salaried sector in particular suffers from precarious working conditions, exhausting shifts, and salaries around **1.500 euros** plus allowances. This situation has caused up to **60.000** Spanish drivers with licenses to abandon the sector.

## Draconian Contracts

Linguistic affinity and driving training make South America the main pool of new professionals. However, this need has peine the door to abusive practices. There is talk of "trucker trafficking," a parallel drawn to human trafficking, where drivers are brought to Spain under false pretenses.
The modus operandi involves forcing them to sign a debt acknowledgment with draconian conditions, often drafted under Peruvian law to circumvent Spanish legislation.

## Debts and Passports

One common clause stipulates a minimum contract of one year. Breach implies paying an indemnity of **6.000 euros**, in addition to travel expenses, which range between **3.000 and 4.000 euros**. During that year, the debt is deducted directly from their wages, meaning drivers may barely receive pay for some months. There are reports of passport retention, a practice that nullifies any possibility of escaping these conditions.