Galician employment minister winery labor controversy

A political controversy has emerged in Galicia involving José González, the regional Minister of Employment and Migration, following labor sanctions against a family-linked winery.

Labor inspectors penalized the winery, identified as a subsidiary of Viña Campinas S. L. or related to Bodegas Casal de Armán, after discovering three undocumented seasonal workers during the 2025 harvest. The workers lacked contracts, social security registration, or accident protection. While the winery claims it relies on temporary employment agencies and was unaware of the identity discrepancies, González’s 2024 asset declaration shows he maintains a 39% stake in Mirador de Banga S. L., a company sharing a registered address with the winery.

González has stated he stepped away from family business operations in 2018 and has no knowledge of the hiring practices. However, the situation has prompted demands for explanations from the PSdeG in the Parliament of Galicia. Alfonso Rueda, President of the Xunta, has defended González and maintained that all regional subsidies granted to the winery were distributed in strict compliance with the law.