Recently, a group of 33 Indian farm laborers was liberated from what authorities described as 'slave-like' working conditions near Verona in northern Italy. These individuals were reportedly subjected to grueling work hours of over 10 hours a day, seven days a week, for meager wages of approximately $4 per hour, with some payments being withheld.
Italian financial police seized over $500,000 in cash and assets from two Indian nationals suspected of being the orchestrators behind this exploitation. The funds are believed to be linked to the alleged 'sale' of these workers as 'low-cost labor'.
Tragically, this incident unfolded amidst an investigation into the death of a 31-year-old Indian national who lost his life in a workplace accident at a fruit farm earlier this year.
The laborers were reportedly enticed to Italy by Indian 'brokers' who collaborated with traffickers, promising them legitimate employment opportunities. Each worker paid exorbitant sums, exceeding 17,000 euros, for travel expenses and fake seasonal work permits, only to find themselves trapped in dire circumstances.
Upon arrival in Italy, the workers had their passports confiscated and were coerced into living in substandard conditions under constant threat of physical harm if they dared to resist. The identities and genders of these individuals have not been disclosed.
Authorities are now delving into the business connections of the alleged gangmasters with various entities, including companies that utilized this 'low-cost labor'.
Responding to these distressing events, the Indian embassy in Rome assured that they are liaising with Italian authorities and the Indian community to safeguard the well-being of their nationals.
Italy's struggle with labor trafficking is evident, with a significant portion of agricultural labor being linked to exploitative practices. A substantial percentage of the workforce in Italy operates in the underground economy, facilitating the perpetuation of labor trafficking due to tax evasion and lack of documentation.
Efforts to combat such exploitation and protect vulnerable workers remain ongoing as authorities strive to dismantle these illicit networks and ensure justice for those affected.
