UN calls for human rights action in Italy as Europol targets forced labor in European agriculture

Italian agriculture has long been known as a high risk sector for labor exploitation, including forced labor.

“The agricultural sector, especially in the less developed southern part of Italy where most of the country’s farms are located, has been known for years to depend on cheap and exploited migrant labor,”according to the Global Slavery Index.

“These workers are said to be subject to certain forms of exploitation and abuse, such as not receiving adequate remuneration, being forced to use transport provided by employers, having their passports and identity documents confiscated. through intermediaries or labor brokers called ‘caporali ‘, being forced to live in the place where they work, which exacerbates isolation and segregation which in turn increases vulnerability to human rights violations, and being subjected to inadequate, even inhuman living conditions ”, revealed the human rights organization.

This issue was brought to the forefront this week, when the United Nations Business and Human Rights Working Group highlighted “serious and persistent” labor abuses related to business activities in Italy at the end of a ten-day official visit to the country. The human rights violations identified included “inhuman” working and living conditions, “serious” occupational health and safety problems and environmental pollution which “endangers public health”.

Agriculture was highlighted as one of the sectors most exposed to endemic human rights violations. “Migrant workers, including from African and Asian countries, working in sectors such as agriculture…Said Surya Deva, chair of the working group. “It requires decisive action on the part of government and business to provide decent working conditions for all workers.”

The UN task force praised the efforts of the Italian government to dismantle the illegal gang control system known as the ‘corporalato’. However, he continued, “many workers living in inhumane conditions do not see any positive change in their lives.”

Europol action highlights risk for EU food sector

The update follows a recent ‘week of action’ against trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labor exploitation in the agricultural sector, which was led by Europol.

The police operation, led by France, involved a wide range of law enforcement authorities, including the police, border guards and immigration, labor inspectorates and tax authorities of Bulgaria , Cyprus, Finland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands and Spain.

He identified 269 potential victims of exploitation, the majority of which – 134 – were in Italy. Of the others, 91 potential victims were found in France, 24 in Spain, 17 in Cyprus and three in Latvia.

Law enforcement authorities inspected workplaces identified as “more vulnerable” to exploitation, such as farms and vineyards. Third-country nationals are said to be the most vulnerable to exploitation as seasonal workers, while EU nationals are exploited in the agricultural sector “all year round”, according to Europol.

The controls focused on the working conditions of the employees. The crackdown targeted criminal networks and facilitators involved in human trafficking who specialize in “brokering” employment in the illegal market.

“Labor exploitation is a very lucrative criminal activity, harmful to the health and rights of victims. A successful operation in France dismantled a criminal network, which generated around 5 million euros in damages for the victims and the authorities. During actions against this network, the authorities raided 25 places and arrested winegrowers, service providers and intermediaries ”,Europol said in a statement.

In total, the week of action – in which 704 separate sites were checked across Europe – resulted in 12 arrests and the identification of 54 suspected human traffickers. As a result, one hundred and twenty-six new investigations were opened in the EU.

Coordinated action is needed to tackle labor abuse in agriculture

The European Council has given priority to tackling the ‘most significant threats’ posed by organized crime to the European Union in the EU political cycle for 2018-21, a mechanism which will become permanent next year as part of EMPACT 2022+. Human trafficking is one of the priorities defined by the political cycle.

Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol supports the 27 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime and other forms of serious and organized crime. As part of this mandate, the organization works to combat human trafficking and forced labor.

According to the agency, the fight against trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labor exploitation in agriculture and food production requires a “consolidated cross-border effort on the part of different authorities”.

The United Nations Task Force agrees that a coordinated response is needed to break the cycle of labor exploitation in the context of Italian agricultural production. He wants political decision-makers, businesses and civil society to develop a common approach to the exploitation of workers.

“Government authorities, businesses and unions should work together to improve conditions and ensure that no one, including producers and retailers, benefits from cheap and exploited labor.”argued the UN human rights body.

Italy has taken steps to strengthen its legal policy framework covering business and human rights. However, the UN task force said there remains a need to better enforce the laws and impose sanctions sufficient to deter corporate abuse.

During its ten-day visit (September 27 to October 6), the working group visited communities living in areas of industrial activity such as Avellino, Taranto and Val d’Agri. According to the UN, these communities have reported that their own governments are neglecting their rights to health and a healthy environment.

“Their concerns must be taken seriously”,Deva said. “Concerted efforts must be made to build trust, independently monitor emissions and health impacts, and provide effective solutions. These solutions must be forward-looking and contribute to global efforts to decarbonise and to transition to a green economy. “

In Italy, the Working Group called for significant improvements in the review and enforcement of laws, the effective monitoring of business activities and the strengthening of access to an effective remedy for related human rights violations. to businesses. Italian companies and foreign companies operating in Italy must also exercise “human rights due diligence” in all of their operations and supply chains, he argued.

“As a highly developed economy of the European Union, Italy should without further delay establish a strong and independent national human rights institution with an explicit mandate to combat related human rights violations. to businesses. It should also enact a binding law on human rights and environmental due diligence ”,Deva said.

The working group visited Italy to review efforts to implement their human rights obligations under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights both in Italy and in relation to the activities and supply chains of Italian companies abroad. The visit coincided with the ongoing review of Italy’s national action plan on business and human rights as well as the G20 leaders’ summit to be held in Rome later this month.

“This is a golden opportunity for the Italian government to show leadership by putting its commitments into practice, first and foremost for the most vulnerable and for the environment”Deva concluded.