Italian police rescue 33 Indian farm laborers from slave-like conditions

Italian authorities announced on Saturday the rescue of 33 Indian farm laborers subjected to slavery-like conditions in the northern Verona province.

The police also seized nearly half a million euros (approximately $545,300) from the two individuals allegedly responsible for their exploitation.

This incident highlighted ongoing labor exploitation issues in Italy, which were brought into sharp focus following the tragic death of an Indian fruit picker in June. The worker died after an accident in which his arm was severed by machinery.

In the recent case, the accused, also of Indian origin, reportedly lured their compatriots to Italy on seasonal work permits, charging them 17,000 euros each with the promise of a better future. Once in Italy, the laborers were forced to work seven days a week, for 10-12 hours a day, earning just 4 euros per hour. These wages were entirely confiscated until the workers had settled their debts, effectively trapping them in a cycle of exploitation described by police as "slavery."

Some of the laborers were further coerced into working for free to pay an additional 13,000 euros for a permanent work permit, which was never actually provided. The police charged the alleged abusers with crimes related to slavery and labor exploitation.

The rescued workers will be offered protection, employment opportunities, and legal residency documents.

Italy, like many European countries, faces labor shortages, particularly in lower-paid sectors, which are often filled by immigrants. The country’s migrant work visa system has been marred by cases of fraud. Additionally, labor law violations remain a significant issue; according to 2021 data from the National Statistics Office Istat, around 11% of Italian workers were employed illegally, with this figure rising to over 23% in the agricultural sector.