Andorra Labour Abuse Case Against Peruvian Workers' Employers Delayed by Court-Ordered Peru Probe

A legal case in Andorra accusing two Peruvian workers' employers of labour abuses faces years of delays after the court ordered an international judicial request to a Peruvian firm.

The Batllia court suspended a hearing when lawyers for Andorran companies Telexarxes and Construart presented a contract signed with Desant Servicios Generales, a Peruvian company, and demanded it be summoned. The judge ruled to pursue a rogatory commission to locate the firm, forcing the plaintiffs—represented by USdA lawyer Eduard Coll—to formally expand the lawsuit to include it.

Coll described the move as a delaying tactic that could "eternise" the proceedings. "We've seen no representative or address for this company—perhaps it doesn't even exist," he said. He added that without amending the claim, "I'm out of the game." The lawyer now expects the process to drag on for two years or more, with no clear deadlines, as Peruvian authorities must first notify Desant and allow it to appear.

The case stems from three Peruvians recruited by Construart, an Andorran firm Coll says lacks authorisation as a temporary employment agency and thus cannot conduct such recruitment. The workers arrived after promises of contracts, housing, and stability, having paid for their own flights. Upon arrival, they were presented with an unfamiliar contract from the Peruvian company, which they signed to open bank accounts—allegedly under pressure from Construart staff, with no Desant representative present.

The men then worked on Telexarxes construction sites, where Coll claims Telexarxes directed tasks, set hours, and oversaw operations, creating the real employment relationship. Allegations include verbal dismissals, safety violations, and unpaid overtime. Construart later acknowledged an improper dismissal and paid some dues after meetings, but the court case persists to assign responsibilities.

Coll insists worker transfers require licensed temporary agencies and that employers must cover repatriation costs, which did not occur. Even if Desant appears, he argues it changes little: "Telexarxes ordered the work and held the actual employment ties." The expanded claim now allows the Batllia to activate international cooperation, suspending the trial until resolution.