undocumented labor

• Italy

The trade union FLAI CGIL has pointed out a number of issues found at a reception center for migrant agricultural workers in southern Italy. Among the problems are a lack of guards, lodgings that are not divided properly, and issues with worker transportation.

• Senegal
• Turkey

Poverty and lack of opportunities are amongst the leading reasons behind undocumented migration. Salmane’s story is no different. Despite studying law and political science in his native country, he chose to leave Senegal. He ended up in Turkey, but he says this was never his preferred destination.

• Italy

Without an extension of stay permits for foreign seasonal workers, the harvest season is at risk, the organization of Italian agricultural producers, Coldiretti, has warned.

• Algeria
• Belgium
• Morocco

The Belgian government announced a breakthrough on Wednesday, as hundreds of migrants stopped their hunger strike in Brussels after authorities signalled their willingness to renegotiate the situation. However, it is not clear if they will ultimately gain the right to remain in the country.

• Algeria
• Belgium
• Morocco

Fears continue to grow for the health of hundreds of undocumented migrants in Belgium who have stepped up a hunger strike aimed at getting the authorities to let them stay. The migrants have been refusing to eat for two months.

• France

Undocumented workers who are victims of work-related accidents must take steps to ensure that they are taken care of and obtain compensation if required. InfoMigrants explains the necessary steps.

• Italy

The Italian farm association Coldiretti has started vaccinating migrant farm workers against COVID-19 in Italy's southern city of Foggia.

• Italy

Police have arrested a couple that allegedly exploited workers at a leather processing company in central Italy. Chinese, Pakistani and Bangladeshi migrants reportedly had to work 14 hours per day without breaks, for just over three euros per hour.

• France

Two undocumented Malian workers living in Montreuil, France, were victims of serious work-related accidents in April. Bary Keita, 27, died of his injuries. Birima Konaté, 47, was seriously injured. In both cases, their employers tried to conceal the facts. Their families are now demanding the truth.

• Italy

Police in northeastern Italy have arrested two people accused of exploiting dozens of Pakistani migrant farmworkers. The laborers were reportedly underpaid, had to work without any coronavirus protections, and forced to pay for rooms in extremely run-down buildings.

• Spain

More than 20 migrants were found hidden in a sweat shop in Spain. According to reports from the Reuters news agency – citing police reports – the migrants were forced to work in unhygienic conditions for two euros per hour. Three people have been arrested.

• Italy

A new report reveals that the coronavirus emergency has worsened the situation for many migrants in Italy. More foreign farm workers are reportedly being exploited now, and many domestic workers have since lost their jobs.