A group of Italian doctors launched an appeal in the British Medical Journal to stop the exploitation of migrants who work in Italian farming. The doctors said the migrants are field slaves who allow for Italian tomatoes to be sold at low prices worldwide year-round.
"Across the whole of Italy, agriculture counts the fallen like those on a battlefield," said an article in the British Medical Journal recounting the exploitation of migrant farm workers in Italy.
The authors cited their experience as global health activists and as part of the NGO Doctors with Africa CUAMM. "Over the past six years the number of agricultural workers who have died as a result of their work is more than 1,500," they wrote. "The workers are paid according to the amount of vegetables they collect rather than the time spent at work, or they are paid €12 for eight hours’ work under the supervision of Caporali, and they live in the “Ghetti.” These are shantytowns, isolated from city centers, without water or proper standards of hygiene, sanitation, or health services."
Their estimates say there are about 100,000 migrants of various nationalities in 50-70 shantytowns spread throughout the country far from urban centers. No official census exists.
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