ROME: Italian police on Saturday freed 33 Indian farm labourers from slave-like working in Verona province and seized almost $545,300 from their two alleged abusers.
Labour exploitation is in the media spotlight in Italy after an accident in June in which an Indian fruit picker died after his arm was amputated by machinery.
Police in the latest case said the alleged gang masters, from India, brought fellow citizens to Italy on work permits, promising them a better future. The workers were also promised 17,000 euros each.
The police said the migrants were given farm jobs, working seven days a week and 10-12 hours a day for just 4 euros an hour. The police statement said some were asked to continue working for free to pay an additional 13,000 euros for a permanent work permit, which was never given to them.
The alleged abusers were charged with crimes linked to slavery and labour exploitation, while the victims will be offered protection, legal residency papers and work opportunities.
Like other European countries, Italy has growing labour shortages often filled via immigration, especially in low-paid jobs, and has a migrant work visa system that has faced fraud cases.
The country also has a problem with labour law violations. According to 2021 data from the national statistics office Istat, about 11 percent of Italian workers were illegally employed.
