The scorching heat in Italy has led to the tragic death of a flower picker, Dalvir Singh, and reports of brutal conditions for migrant workers toiling in the fields. Singh, who worked on a flower farm, passed away under extreme heat and a heavy workload, leaving behind a grieving family in India. While the autopsy results are pending, investigations are ongoing to determine if proper precautions were taken for workers in dangerous heat conditions.
This incident sheds light on the plight of migrant workers in Italy, many of whom are from countries like India and sub-Saharan Africa. They endure long hours, low wages, and a lack of rights while working in the lucrative food industry. Living in ghettoes and decrepit housing, they are controlled by gangmasters who exploit them and subject them to inhumane working conditions. Some workers have been described as “reduced to slavery” through debts and passport confiscation.
This alarming situation has brought attention to the need for better protection and rights for these vulnerable workers. Campaigners and activists are calling for improved safety measures and more awareness of the dangers of working in extreme heat. Climate scientists warn that migrant workers are among the most at risk from heat stress in Europe and worldwide. The tragic loss of Dalvir Singh underscores the urgent need for action to prevent further deaths and exploitation in Italy’s fields.
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