A demonstration took place in Latina yesterday to protest against the exploitation of illegal labour, following the death of Satnam Singh, an Indian labourer who was abandoned after a severe workplace accident.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella stated the need to end such illegal labour practices and ensure workers’ rights are protected, stating, “We cannot accept that workers are treated as disposable objects and subjected to such inhumane conditions.”
The event saw participation from various trade unions and worker advocacy groups, highlighting the pervasive issue of exploitative labour conditions, particularly in the agricultural sector where many migrant workers are employed without proper contracts and at below-minimum wages. Gianni Cortese, a local union leader, remarked, “This is not just a fight for justice for Satnam Singh, but for all workers who are forced to work in conditions of modern-day slavery.”
The demonstration called for stricter government regulations and penalties for illegal labour practices, and better protection for all workers, regardless of their immigration status. Another speaker at the protest, Maria Balducci from the labour rights organisation, stated, “We demand immediate action from the authorities to ensure that no more lives are lost to this barbaric exploitation.”
“This protest aims to urge the government to enforce stricter regulations and provide better protection for all workers, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
PD want Bossi-Fini abolished
On the sidelines of the demonstration in Latina, PD secretary Elly Schlein called for the abolition of Bossi-Fini.
“All institutions and all politics 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.”
“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 the skin of people like Satnam Singh”.
What is the Bossi-Fini Law?
The Bossi-Fini law, of July 30, 2002, is a significant piece of Italian legislation that regulates immigration and the status of foreigners in Italy. Named after its proponents, Umberto Bossi of the Northern League and Gianfranco Fini of the National Alliance, the law aimed to tighten immigration controls and address issues related to illegal immigration.
Key provisions of the Bossi-Fini law include:
- Strict Visa Requirements: The law introduced stricter requirements for obtaining visas and residency permits. Immigrants are required to have a job before entering Italy, with their employer acting as a guarantor.
- Deportation Measures: The law strengthened measures for the deportation of illegal immigrants. It allowed for immediate expulsion of individuals without proper documentation and increased the powers of law enforcement agencies to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
- Work Contracts: Immigrants must have a valid work contract to stay in the country. Employers are required to provide evidence of the job offer and the immigrant’s ability to sustain themselves.
- Detention Centers: The establishment of Identification and Expulsion Centers (Centri di Identificazione ed Espulsione, CIE) where undocumented immigrants could be detained pending deportation was mandated. The detention period could be extended to ensure proper identification and processing.
- Family Reunification: The law imposed more stringent conditions on family reunification, making it harder for immigrants to bring family members to Italy unless they could demonstrate adequate income and housing.
- Criminal Penalties: The law introduced harsher penalties for those who aid illegal immigration, including higher fines and longer prison sentences.
- Border Controls: Increased border controls and surveillance were mandated to prevent illegal entry into Italy.
