Italy arrests target exploitation of migrant workers

Apr 26, 2010, 10:59 GMT

Rosarno, Italy - Police in southern Italy on Monday arrested 30 people suspected of exploiting immigrants for cheap labour, officials said.

The detentions stem from an investigation that began in January, when two African migrants were injured by gunmen in Rosarno, an incident that triggered days of rioting by immigrants in the Calabrian town.

Nine of those apprehended - mostly Italians - were taken into custody, while the rest were served with orders of house arrest.

Authorities said they uncovered a network of so-called 'corporals,' who would recruit mostly African migrants - many of them living in Italy without permits - for work on farms and factories in the area.

The migrants would receive a maximum of 22 euros (29 dollars) for a full day's work picking oranges and other fruit.

Authorities believe that the January 7 shooting of the two migrants was intended as a threat against those who wished to rebel against the clandestine labour arrangements.

The incident prompted hundreds of Africans to rampage in Rosarno. Over 50 people were injured in the clashes, which also involved police and local residents.

Some 2,500 immigrants live in the area of Rosarno, may of them cramped together in abandoned warehouses, without running water or electricity - conditions that have been denounced by human rights groups.