At least 5,000 between labourerscitizens, trade unionists and politicians marched through the streets of Latin on Tuesday 25 June for to protest against the gangmaster, modern form of slavery. The event was organized to remember Satnam Singhthe worker Indian 31 year old man who was mutilated and then died while working illegally in a field. For the occasion, CISL, UIL and USB proclaimed a strike for the whole day in the agricultural sector of the province of Latina.
The protest of the Indian community
Not since the days of Rosarno have we seen so many laborers marching in the streets as a sign of protest. But in Rosarno, 15 years ago, in January 2010, tempers flared. The protest of Indian community (composed mostly of Sikh) of the province of Latina was instead peaceful.
The prosecutor’s office has started an investigation into Satnam’s death, but what already appears certain is that the young man was not taken to hospital: Satnam was dumped in front of his house and left in the street with his amputated arm placed in a box for fruit picking.
The owner of the farm is now under investigation for manslaughter. “We want rights at work. We want justice. We want what happened in Satnam to never happen again,” he said president of the Indian community of Lazio, Gurmukh Sing.
Opposition in the square with the labourers
In the square with the laborers there were also the secretary of the PD, Elly Schleinand the secretary of Italian Left, Nicola Fratoianni. Then there was also the mayor of Latina, Matilde CelentanoOf Brothers of Italy and then also several political exponents of the Democratic Party and M5S. There was also Ignazio Marino, former mayor of Rome and now MEP with Avs. Also in the square were large union representatives.
“All institutions must take a step forward against this scourge, because Satnam Singh is unfortunately not an isolated case. There is a structural system of exploitation and gangmastering that must be fought.” So declared the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein. “In the next few days we will present our proposal to abolish the Bossi-Fini law and rewrite it entirely, because it is a law that causes irregularities. And irregularity, as this tragedy and this murder teaches, causes precariousness, exploitation and blackmail on people like Satnam Singh”, added the secretary of the PD.
“We are all responsible for the phenomenon of gangmastering, the institutions, the bodies, the citizens who prefer not to see”, the mayor of Latina said mea culpa Matilde Celentano. “The land license of corporals does not belong to us. This is a land of migrants, of people who came to look for a better condition,” she added. “The war against gangmastering is a civil war to be fought all together,” she concluded.
“What happened is not a misfortune, it is the result of a known phenomenon. Sometimes I see in the Government the desire to criminalize those who work, a bit of decency would be needed”, he attacked Nicola Fratoiannileader of the Green and Left Alliance.
The case of the League flag
The agency LaPresse interviewed a activist from the League who accused the Digos of having forced him to hide the flag of his party of reference: “The Digos made me take away the flag, I don’t know why, I am an activist and a member and unfortunately I cannot express my disappointment”.
“The League is the first party that defends these people because we want that when these poor souls come in they do so with a regularized employment contract and with the address where they live and all their documents in order. Instead they let them in illegally, they are invisible and exploit them,” he added.
Fundraising for Satnam Singh’s family
The common Of Cistern of Latina has started a fundraiser at the Municipal Treasurer – Banca Popolare del Lazio – Agency 1 of Velletri.
- causal > “For the family of Satnam Singh”
- Iban > IT21N0510439499CC0100526300
More information on the municipality’s official website (“Press releases” section, news dated 06/25/2024).
Also there CGIL has started a fundraiser, on the Bper account registered to the CGIL of Rome and Lazio:
- reason > “Satnam Singh family support fund”
- Iban > IT16L0538703207000035325085
Photo source: ANSA
