Pakistani agri workers in Italy - victims and killers

Monday, June 1, Amendolara, Southern Italy. Four agricultural workers – three Afghans. one Pakistani – were found dead in a charred minivan in the forecourt of a petrol pump. Footage from the security cameras of the petrol pump revealed what was effectively an execution.

Five workers were seated in the rear of the van. Two men seated in the front got off, sprayed the passengers with petrol and set fire to them. The window handles of the van had been removed to stop the passengers from getting out. One man managed to get out by breaking a window. The other four were burnt to death. The two people identified by the authorities as possible killers were Pakistanis. They are in police custody and will likely be tried for premeditated murder.

There are about half a million foreign workers employed in Italy's agriculture sector. constituting about a third of the total work force. Most of them are engaged in the hardest and most menial jobs. Work hours are long – sometimes stretching to ten hours a day, even in sizzling heat and freezing cold. Many of these workers are Pakistanis hailing from the rural areas of central Punjab. Some have legal documents to live and work in Italy. But most of them have reached Italy illegally, having travelled a grueling overland route. paid something like 10 to 15 lakh Pakistani rupees to human traffickers.

Most of the Pakistani agriculture workers are managed by "agents" who are usually also Pakistanis. These agents find job for the workers, provide them accommodation, and transport them to and from worksites. For these services, the agents take 60-80% of their salary, leaving them barely enough for food and other essentials. As a general practice, the agents keep the passports and identity cards of the workers in their own custody.

Apparently, the workers killed in Amendolara were asking for better pay. a formal contract that would give them legal rights and privileges. Their "agents", unwilling to do so, decided to make an example of them.

The prime minister, all political parties and trade unions have condemned the incident. A big demonstration was held in Amendolara for better implementation of labour laws. particularly for foreign workers in the agriculture sector.

Going forward, several issues need to be addressed.

Firstly, there is a need to inform potential migrants of the difficulties, hazards. dangers of illegal migration – some have likened the journey to going through a meat grinder – qeemay ki machine. Potential migrants should also be aware that once they get to Italy, there is a high risk of ending up in modern day slavery – brutal working conditions, unbearably long hours. scant wages. The agents who go around in poor rural areas portraying Italy as a land of opportunities must be countered. stopped.

Secondly, the Government of Pakistan. its representatives in Italy need to do much more to highlight the plight of illegal Pakistani migrants living in subhuman conditions. In doing so, Pakistan's representatives not only need to liaise with the authorities. also with the trade unions that have been playing a leading role in tackling this issue.

Thirdly, there is need to counter the propaganda of the right-wing populist parties in Italy,. in other European countries, which try to portray immigrants, particularly Muslims, as criminals and killers. Pakistanis who live, work and study in Italy need to anchor themselves as productive and hardworking members of society. They need to cultivate an active presence in civic. political life here, while engaging in cultural, artistic and sports arenas. Doing so is also essential in the context of providing relatable role models for the rapidly growing second generation of Pakistanis in Italy.

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