Spain fines "Big Four" consulting firms for excruciatingly long working hours

The Spanish Labour Ministry is to fine the "Big Four" consulting companies working in the country for breach of labour laws concerning working hours.

As reported by Euronews, the decision follows an investigation that Spain conducted for several years looking into working conditions at the prestigious consulting firms of Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG, which together make up the "Big Four". Employees have been continuously complaining about long working hours up to 16 hours per day as well as low wages.

The Spanish ministry raided the companies' offices in November 2022, stating, that although no formal complaint had been made to the public body, "inspectors detected practices that they considered may be outside the scope of labour law, through the press or social media".

The group of companies, which have a reputation for long working hours and excruciating expectations in their offices all around the world, has been imposed a fine totalling at least €1.4 million.