A Romanian mechanic says he lost not only his job in Spain but also tools worth thousands of euros after a dispute with the owner of an allegedly illegal car repair workshop in Palma de Mallorca. The 39-year-old claims that when he tried to recover his equipment, the man threatened him with violence.
A Romanian mechanic’s difficult experience in Spain
Sorin, a Romanian citizen aged 39, says he worked for a period of time in what he describes as a “clandestine and illegal” auto repair workshop in the Foners neighborhood of Palma de Mallorca. According to the Spanish publication Ultima Hora, the man had been going through a difficult period in his life and, between June and September of last year, even slept inside the workshop.
His experience in the field of car repair was what first led to the collaboration. The workshop owner, who is also Romanian, allegedly offered him work on a percentage basis.
“I had my own workshop for six years, but I lost it because of the pandemic. I had the tools and the knowledge, so we started working together on a percentage basis: he got 60%, I got 40%,” Sorin explains.
A promised contract that never materialized
According to Sorin, the workshop owner repeatedly promised that he would formalize his employment and register him officially. However, after three months, no contract had been signed.
Frustration grew as the payments became irregular and far below what had been agreed.
“He wasn’t paying me what we had agreed. One week he would give me €50, the next €100, and so on,” the mechanic says, explaining why he ultimately decided to end the collaboration.
Tools worth €6,000 allegedly withheld
When Sorin left the workshop, he says he was unable to retrieve his equipment. According to two complaints he filed with both the National Police and the Civil Guard, tools worth approximately €6,000 remained inside the workshop and were never returned.
Among the items listed are a compressor, trestles, a pneumatic gun, jacks, and other specialized equipment used in auto repair.
The mechanic also claims that the workshop owner had been imprisoned on charges of domestic violence and was released only recently. After learning this, Sorin says he repeated his complaint to SEPRONA, the Civil Guard’s environmental protection unit.
“The workshop is unlicensed, unregistered, and does not comply with oil recycling regulations. Many completely illegal repairs are carried out there. What’s more, he’s not even a certified mechanic.”
Threats after asking for his property back
The dispute reportedly escalated when the two men encountered each other in a nightclub shortly before the owner’s imprisonment. Sorin says that when he asked for his equipment back, the conversation turned into a threat.
“I asked him for my things, and he told me he would send two Albanians to cut off my legs,” the man says.
According to Sorin, the individual has been the subject of other complaints and is known for aggressive behavior.
Determined to pursue justice
Despite the threats, Sorin says he has tried to avoid direct confrontation. His goal, he insists, is simply to recover his belongings and ensure the situation is investigated.
“I didn’t want to get into a conflict. I want to avoid problems. But I have asked for my things back many times and I see that he continues to work with my tools in an illegal location. Now he has hired other mechanics and is paying them under the table. This is unacceptable,” Sorin accuses.
The Romanian mechanic says he plans to submit additional complaints to the Labor Inspectorate and other relevant authorities.
“I will continue to report him to all the necessary institutions. He should never be allowed to open that workshop again,” the Romanian mechanic concluded.