PHOTO| VIDEO | In Latina, Indian laborers in the square, appeal to the government: “Regularize us”

Today the strike demonstration against gangmastering organized by Flai CGIL after the death of the 31-year-old Indian laborer Satnam Singh

LATINA – Hundreds of people have already gathered in Piazza della Libertà, in Latina, for the strike demonstration against gangmastering organized by Flai CGIL after the death of the 31-year-old Indian laborer Satnam Singh, who died last Wednesday at San Camillo in Rome after a desperate rescue attempt by air ambulance. In the square today, alongside his many colleagues, his wife, 26-year-old Sony, is also waiting: she was at Satnam’s side when they were abandoned in the street in front of their house after the accident with a machine on the Borgo Bainsizza farm, where both were working, which had cut off one of her husband’s arms.

Among the dozens of flags of the CGIL – in the square the categories Flai, Fiom, Fillea, Filctem and Spi – of Libera, of Legambiente and of the Anpi, there will also be the leaders of the Pd and Avs, Elly Schlein and Nicola Fratoianni. ‘Enough exploitation! For the dignity, health and safety of those who work’, we read on the large banner in the background of the stage van set up for the occasion. Many laborers came to show their closeness to Satnam, mostly Indians. Among them is 37-year-old Singh Amarjit, a regular employee on an agricultural company in the province of Frosinone. “Thank you all for coming, we are devastated for Satnam but we risk there being many others”, his words representing the workers. “Many bosses give tractors and machinery into everyone’s hands without knowing whether they are capable or not, it is their fault and not Satnam’s: his only fault was that he wanted to work so he could eat”.

The condition of irregular workers in the fields, explains Amarjit, “is terrible. Foreigners work 12-13 hours in the heat and sun every day, but thanks to us Italy is also growing.” Hence the appeal to the prime minister: “To the Government and to Giorgia Meloni I say: regularize us all, don’t let us be illegal immigrants. Thus, with the residence permit, everyone will be able to pay taxes and work in better conditions.” Today, in fact, the farm worker underlines, “kids without documents earn 2.5 or 3 euros an hour all day long, those with legal status almost 5-6 euros”.