Rome, 24 June 2024 – The regional trade union organizations sent a communication on 19 June to the general manager of the Agriculture Department, Giuseppe Iiritano, and, for information, to the regional councilor Gianluca Gallo. The letter requests the convening of an urgent meeting to address the problems related to gangmastering, exploitation and irregular work in the Calabrian agricultural sector.
The regional general secretaries Michele Sapia (Fai Cisl), Caterina Vaiti (Flai Cgil) and Pasquale Barbalaco (Uila Uil) underline the need to continue the process of regional discussion, currently at a standstill, to promote further synergies in the fight against undeclared work and any form of exploitation in the regional agricultural and agri-food sector.
“In Calabria, at least four out of ten agricultural workers are irregular, a figure that increases if migrant workers are considered”, declare the trade unionists. It is therefore imperative to interrupt these circuits of illegality, starting from the procurement of manpower, accommodation and transport, through greater collaboration with all those involved. Furthermore, to support the work carried out by the police, it will be necessary to intensify and strengthen controls by the Labor Inspectorate and the role of bilateral agricultural bodies, to encourage, in full transparency and regularity, the meeting between demand and job offer.
It is essential to promote prevention and support quality agricultural work, which must be safe, dignified and adequately paid. This also means applying and renewing provincial agricultural sector contracts.
“The fight against gangmastering, violence and exploitation in agriculture is a battle of civilization that must see the participation of all the actors involved, all on the same side, forcefully repressing these phenomena, but above all focusing on information policies and interventions and prevention. It is essential to stimulate companies to join the Quality Agricultural Work Network, enhancing training, safety in the workplace and hospitality”, conclude Sapia, Vaiti and Barbalaco.
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