In central Italy, Indians came together in a strong display of solidarity, marching to demand an end to exploitation in the agricultural sector. This protest followed the tragic death of Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old worker who lost his life in a devastating workplace accident. Singh, employed without legal papers, suffered a fatal injury when his arm was tragically severed by a machine while on duty. Adding to the distress, his heartless employer callously abandoned him by the roadside, leaving Singh with his severed limb. This callous act has sparked deep outrage and prompted fervent calls for justice among the Indian community residing in the Lazio region of Italy.
Gurmukh Singh, a community leader, expressed the collective frustration: “He was thrown out like a dog. There is exploitation every day, we suffer it every day, it must end now. We come here to work, not to die.” Children carried signs demanding “Justice for Satnam Singh” as the procession wound through Latina, highlighting the plight of Indian migrant workers in the Agro Pontino region.
Since the mid-1980s, Indians have been integral to agriculture in the Pontine Marshes, cultivating pumpkins, leeks, beans, tomatoes, and working in flower farms and buffalo mozzarella production. Despite their essential role, systemic abuses persist, with undocumented workers frequently subjected to exploitation by employers or labor intermediaries.
Satnam Singh’s death has prompted a broader debate in Italy on addressing these systemic issues. Parambar Singh, who suffered a serious eye injury at work, shared his experience: “My boss said he couldn’t take me to the hospital because I didn’t have a contract. I have been waiting 10 months for justice.”
According to the Osservatorio Placido Rizzotto, which monitors working conditions, these workers endure grueling shifts of up to 14 hours for meager pay, averaging around 20 euros ($21) per day. The situation underscores deep-seated challenges in Italy’s agricultural sector, exacerbated by a significant reliance on undocumented labor.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has advocated for reducing undocumented migration while expanding legal pathways for non-EU workers to address labor shortages. However, the visa system’s inefficiencies have been exploited by organized crime, contributing to the presence of tens of thousands of undocumented workers.
Reflecting on Singh’s tragic death, Meloni condemned the inhumane treatment, vowing strong punishment for those responsible. Italy’s financial police have identified nearly 60,000 undocumented workers in recent months, yet estimates suggest a much larger undocumented workforce, including vulnerable individuals who lack legal protections.
Amidst the calls for justice and reform, voices like Kaur Akveer’s resonate strongly: “We all need regular job contracts, not to be trapped in this slavery. Satnam was like my brother. He must be the last Indian to die.” The march in Latina symbolizes a unified plea for fair treatment and dignity for all migrant workers in Italy’s agricultural heartland.