The regional trade union organizations sent last June 19th a communication addressed to the General Director of the Agriculture Department Giuseppe Iiritano e, for knowledge, to the Regional Councilor Gianluca Gallo, requesting the convening of an urgent meeting regarding the fight against gangmastering, exploitation and irregular work in the Calabrian agricultural sector.
As the regional General Secretaries Michele Sapia (Fai Cisl), Caterina Vaiti (Flai CGIL) and Pasquale Barbalaco (Uila Uil) declare: «it is necessary to continue the process of regional discussion started, which is currently at a standstill, to promote further synergies for greater and effective fight against illegal work, gangmastering and any other type of work shape of exploitation in the regional agricultural and agri-food sector.
In Calabria – the trade unionists continue – at least four out of ten agricultural workers are irregular, a figure that increases if migrant workers are considered. It is necessary to break these circuits of illegality, starting from the procurement of manpower, accommodation and transport, through greater synergy with all interested parties, as well as, in support of the work carried out by the police, it will be necessary to intensify and strengthen both the controls by the Labor Inspectorate and the role of the bilateral agricultural bodies in the area to encourage, in full transparency and regularity, the meeting between supply and demand of work. We need more prevention and support for quality, safe, dignified and adequately paid agricultural work which also means applying and renewing provincial agricultural sector contracts.
The fight against gangmastering, violence and exploitation in agriculture – conclude Sapia, Vaiti and Barbalaco – is a battle of civilization that must see the participation of all the actors involved, all on the same side, forcefully repressing such phenomena but, above all, focusing on information and prevention policies and interventions, encouraging companies to join the quality agricultural work network, enhancing training, safety in the workplace and hospitality”.
