From Field to Shelf: Migrant Labour Exploitation Behind 'Made in Italy' Agrifood Products

The exploitation of migrant labour in Italy's agricultural sector originates from a complex interplay of interconnected factors. Particularly, the first chapter presents how historical trends of migrant labour participation, the influence of organized crime, and the prevalence of informal recruitment methods all come together to create an environment that pushes farmers to recruit migrant labour irregularly, taking advantage of their vulnerability. The following chapters investigate other factors that reinforce and perpetuate this system, including dynamics of agrifood value chains and the role of large-scale retail, along with migration and labour policies of both Italy and the European Union. These elements collectively foster systematic labour exploitation of migrants, notably those in particularly precarious statuses with limited options for finding alternative employment. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that exposes the social, economic and political dynamics that shape and reinforce such practices, with the ultimate aim to ensure greater protection and dignity for migrant workers within Italy’s agrifood industry.