UGT union calls emergency meeting over fraud claims
Leader Cándido Méndez has ordered full investigation into Andalusia branch
The UGT labor union in Andalusia has called an emergency committee meeting for January 9 in response to allegations that employees may have misused public money from a fund set up by the regional government to help struggling companies pay workers' severance packages.
National UGT leader Cándido Méndez has ordered a full investigation to ascertain whether the Andalusia branch is guilty of any wrongdoing. However, Méndez also pointed to an "attempt to draw attention away from the Bárcenas case," in the rightwing media. The ruling Popular Party, whose ex-treasurer Luis Bárcenas is at the center of a corruption probe, has accused the regional government and UGT of "connivance" and "lack of control" over the use of public funds.
