Italy accuses 4 Romanians of exploiting farmworkers

Italian authorities accused four Romanian men of exploiting undocumented foreign workers in Sicily, saying the workers were made to work 70 hours a week and live in housing without electricity or water.

Police in Palermo said prosecutors in Enna placed the alleged de facto boss of the operation under house arrest. Three alleged subordinates were ordered to report to judicial authorities.

Police said the investigation began after four Moroccan citizens filed a complaint alleging they worked as orange pickers in Enna and Regalbuto between January and May 2024 under exploitative conditions.

According to police, investigators found the workers were forced to work without days off, earned about one euro for each crate of oranges and accepted the conditions through threats and violence.

Police said the three alleged subordinates were accused of housing workers in accommodation without electricity or water, deducting rent from wages and threatening eviction if the workers did not accept the conditions.

The investigation remains in a preliminary phase, police said. Police also said the four Moroccan workers, as victims of serious labour exploitation, are eligible to apply for a special Italian residence permit.