Dozens of Indian farm workers have been rescued from harsh working conditions akin to slavery in northern Italy, according to police reports.
These 33 workers were promised jobs and a better future by two Indian nationals, only to find themselves trapped in gruelling labour. Allegedly forced to work over 10 hours daily, seven days a week, they earned meagre wages that barely covered their debts to the gangmasters who controlled them. The two suspects, found with significant sums of money, have been arrested.
The exploitation of farm workers, both Italian and migrant, is a well-documented issue in Italy. Many toil in fields, vineyards, and greenhouses without contracts, facing dangerous conditions.
Recently, tragedy struck when an Indian fruit picker lost his arm in a work accident and subsequently died, abandoned at the scene by his employer who is now under investigation for negligence.
These 33 men paid exorbitant sums, up to €17,000 each, for seasonal work permits and jobs. Some borrowed money or pawned family assets to finance their journey, only to earn €4 per hour for their long days of labour. Upon arrival, their passports were seized, and they were confined to substandard living conditions.
Police described how these workers were transported daily in vehicles hidden among vegetable boxes, highlighting the dire circumstances they endured. Their apartments, found during police searches, were in appalling conditions, violating health and hygiene standards.
Following their rescue, the workers have regained their passports and are receiving support from social services and migration organizations to find safer housing and work environments.
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The gangmasters involved face serious charges related to exploitation and slavery. Italy has been grappling with the “caporalato” system, where middlemen exploit laborers, often paying below legal wages, even for those with proper documentation. This illegal practice affects various sectors, including agriculture and construction, despite being outlawed in 2016 after public outcry over worker abuses.
The plight of these workers underscores ongoing challenges in protecting labor rights and combating exploitation in Italy’s workforce.
-Agencies
