Spanish civil servant didn’t turn up for work for six years – company only noticed when they tried to present him with a long-service award

A Spanish civil servant who failed to turn up for work for “at least” six years has been caught after becoming eligible for a long service award – reports the BBC.

Joaquin Garcia, 69, was fined £21,000  after the award brought his long absence to light.

Joaquin Garcia had been employed by a water company in Cadiz to supervise the construction of a water treatment plant.

According to Mail Online; ‘It is understood that Mr Garcia’s alleged lengthy absence from work was not noticed due to a mixup between the local authorities and the water company. The water company believed the local authority were managing Mr Garcia, while the local authority thought the water company were in charge of him.’

Mr Garcia denies the allegations and his lawyer says he has gone into hiding after suffering a media “lynching”.

Mr Garcia said he had been a victim of bullying in the job and moved to a post where there was no work to do.

He has written to the mayor asking not to have to pay the fine.