A major Spanish trade union has accused Vox of spreading ‘xenophobic lies’ about migrants during Andalucia’s regional election campaign.

CCOO de Andalucia said the far-right party was using immigration as a scapegoat to distract from what it described as the worsening state of public services under the Andalucian government.

The union’s Secretary for Migration Policy, Rosa Berges, backed complaints already filed by Adelante Andalucia with the Electoral Board and by Spain’s Equality Ministry with prosecutors over comments made by Vox during the campaign.

‘Comisiones Obreras condemns the lies Vox is spreading about immigrants, accusing them of crimes that are mainly committed by Spanish citizens, such as sexual assaults and harassment of women,’ Berges said.

She argued that migrants were unfairly being blamed for pressure on healthcare and social services.

‘The deterioration of public services and healthcare is not the fault of immigrants, who pay taxes even when they are undocumented,’ she said.

‘They pay VAT, indirect taxes, council charges and other contributions. These people are already paying for the services they receive.’

Berges instead blamed what she described as years of outsourcing and tax cuts for higher earners by the Junta de Andalucía.

According to the union, the regional government has weakened public services by privatising management and reducing taxes for wealthier residents.

‘The Andalucian government continues lowering taxes for the richest people, who should contribute the most to maintaining public services, and this is the real cause behind their deterioration,’ Berges added.

She warned that CCOO would not ‘stand by with folded arms’ amid what it described as growing hostility and tension fuelled by anti-immigration rhetoric during the campaign.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.