Uruguayan authorities have confirmed that inspections were carried out on-site, even before the complaint was made public. This was stated by Luis Puig, the General Inspector of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), although he avoided details as the case is ongoing. Uruguayan labor outsourcing legislation imposes joint liability on the main company, in this case CRIBA S.A. Uruguay, for obligations towards subcontracted workers. CRIBA, with its track record in Argentina—where it has executed emblematic works and received million-dollar contracts from the Buenos Aires government—and its growth in Uruguay, now faces scrutiny over the management of its partners. After difficult days, union sources highlight that, despite the immediate resolution—the workers can already leave freely—the case underscores the need for greater oversight in a sector where foreign labor is common.
Experts in Uruguayan labor law warn that if forced confinement is proven, it could constitute a crime of deprivation of liberty, aggravated by the labor context. “The parent company, CRIBA S.A. Uruguay, is the one that must guarantee the conditions,” emphasized the union. This incident exposes vulnerabilities in the subcontracting chain in large real estate projects. The construction sector in Uruguay is in disbelief.
Workers, employed by the company Wassy on the mega-project of the Cipriani Ocean Resort Residences & Casino, denounced being locked in their accommodation at the end of each workday. Following the revelation, union delegates acted quickly, formalizing the police complaint. Uruguay's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), headed by Inspector General Luis Puig, confirmed inspections on-site both before and after the complaint became public.
With a presence in the Uruguayan market for over a decade, CRIBA has participated in iconic projects, consolidating its regional expansion. In this case, CRIBA subcontracted Wassy for specific tasks such as stonework and roofing, which establishes a direct but contractual relationship: Wassy operates under CRIBA's supervision, with no evidence of ownership or merger between the two. According to accounts from delegates of the Single Union of Construction and Attachments (SUNCA) in Maldonado, led by General Secretary Michael Pistone, the Peruvian workers had not previously reported these conditions for fear of retaliation. The police complaint, filed at the Maldonado police station, directly accuses the owner of Wassy of depriving his employees of liberty by locking the gate of the premises where they lived, located near the construction site.
The Cipriani project, which transforms the old Hotel San Rafael into a luxury resort with a casino and residences, is executed by CRIBA S.A. Uruguay, a subsidiary of the Argentine construction giant CRIBA, as learned by the Argentine News Agency from reliable sources. This family company, founded over 70 years ago by Alberto Tarasido in Buenos Aires, has positioned itself as a leader in engineering and architecture works in Argentina and Uruguay. Meanwhile, the MTSS is advancing in determining responsibilities, and the union remains vigilant. This scandal not only affects the image of the luxurious Cipriani but also sparks a debate on ethical practices in cross-border construction.
“A video made by the Peruvian workers themselves reached us, in which they denounce that the company had kept them locked up,” explained Pistone in statements collected by local media such as Cadena del Mar. If violations are confirmed, they could lead to administrative or criminal sanctions. From the union, the response was firm: in an assembly, the workers declared the owner of Wassy a “persona non grata,” although the subcontractor continues to operate on the site. SUNCA announced that it will deepen investigations into other contracts of the project to ensure well-being, accommodation, and labor rights.
Buenos Aires, January 22 (NA) — An shocking video recorded by nine Peruvian workers has shaken the tranquility of the Punta del Este coast.
