The authorities of the Guardia di Finanza of the Provincial Command of Treviso have concluded an investigation into the Agro-Food Market of Padua (MAAP), revealing a tax fraud and illegal interposition of labor operation worth 18 million euros. These false procurement contracts were used to disguise illicit activities of outsourcing workers responsible for loading and unloading fruit and vegetables.
Following these discoveries, 30 entrepreneurs were reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for fraudulent supply of labour, while two companies were reported for administrative liability as the tax crimes were committed for their benefit by the directors.
Administrative fines totaling €2.5 million were also issued for violations of labor legislation.
Involved in the fraud are 29 companies, including two Treviso companies active in the logistics sector and 27 client companies, mainly operating at the MAAP in Padua.
Investigations revealed that the revenues obtained were divided through the issuing of invoices for non-existent operations, generating an undue VAT deduction of 1.4 million euros.
In relation to this amount, the preventive seizure of properties, financial resources, cars and company shares was ordered by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations at the Court of Treviso.
The investigations, conducted by the Treviso Group, revealed that one of the companies involved had been established for the sole purpose of hiring staff on fixed-term contracts, thus circumventing the legislation protecting workers.
The phenomenon has been defined as serious because it circumvents labor protections through the distorted use of procurement contracts, allowing client companies to have manpower available without the constraints of a permanent contract.
The investigations reconstructed employment relationships without the characteristic elements of legal contracts, such as business risk and the autonomous organization of means and resources. Contracting companies did not take risks and did not organize resources, leaving the management and control of workers to the client companies.
