"The access to assistance and remedies for victims of labour exploitation (in the Italian master gang panorama). The case of Castel Volturno“

This research explores the legislative and practical measures taken at the European and national levels to combat trafficking in human beings and labor exploitation, focusing on Italy's specific efforts against the "caporalato" system in agriculture. It highlights the adoption of significant international protocols and directives, such as the Palermo Protocol and Directive 2011/36/EU, which emphasize victim assistance and human rights. Italy's response includes Law 199/2016 and the establishment of the "Caporalato Table," a collaborative governance initiative aimed at improving worker protection and combating exploitation. Despite these efforts, challenges remain due to bureaucratic complexities, fragmented social services, and the high number of undocumented migrants, which facilitate labor exploitation. Various national programs and plans, including the Three-Year Plan (2020-2022), aim to address these issues through integrated services and improved labor conditions. However, the effectiveness of these measures is often undermined by lack of coordination and comprehensive long-term solutions. The text underscores the need for continued innovation and collaboration to address the multifaceted issue of labor exploitation in Italy. The case study of Castel Volturno, in south Italy try to emphasize the challenges of the victims on receiving assistance and it is an attempt to underline the big gap that there is between what is recommended in the international and regional document and the State parties’ practice for the assistance of the victims and their access to the remedies.