Two Indian gangmasters have been detained in Verona city of Italy, on charges of enslaving 33 Indian farm laborers. This comes only weeks after Satnam Singh, an Indian farmer, died after his arm was severed by a strawberry wrapping machine on the farm. Singh, who was working illegally on the farm, was thrown on the road by his employers.
The Finance Police of Verona seized 475,000 euros from these two Indians, who own two agricultural enterprises with no employees on the records. According to the news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), they have also allegedly avoided taxes.
The two were arrested on July 13 and are being probed for enslavement and labor exploitation,as per the agency.
These new forms of slavery came under scrutiny when the employer of the farmer "dumped" him like a "bag of rubbish near his home" with his severed hand.
Satnam Singh, who was bleeding heavily, died because medical intervention arrived too late.
Satnam Singh was only one of thousands of Indians who worked illegally on farms in Italy, particularly in the Pontine Marshes area. It was discovered that these employees are underpaid and exploited.
Rallies in Italy on June 25 called for the abolition of slavery following Singh's death.
The harsh exploitation of unauthorized migrants in Italy came into light with Singh's death. According to Ministry of External Affairs estimates, there would be more than 2 lakh Indians abroad in Italy by May 2024. Italy has the highest documented Indian population in continental Europe, second only to Germany.
"He was thrown out like a dog. There is exploitation every day; we suffer every day, and it must stop now." "We come here to work, not to die," said Gurmukh Singh, the president of the Indian community in the Lazio region of central Italy.
Latina, where Singh worked, is known for exploiting migrant workers.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, condemned Singh's death as brutal and barbaric.
"These are inhumane acts that do not belong to the Italian people, and I hope that this barbarism will be harshly punished," Meloni said.
As the procession of Indian workers stretched through Latina, children put up colorful banners stating "Justice for Satnam Singh."
Because of the lack of labor contracts, companies are hesitant to provide medical care to undocumented migrant workers for fear of facing legal consequences.
"My boss said he couldn't take me to the hospital because I didn't have a contract," said Parambar Singh, whose eye was hurt on the job.
"Satnam died one day; I die every day." "Because I, too, am a labor victim," said the 33-year-old Indian. He has struggled to find a job after the accident.
