Milan, Italy – A shocking investigation has brought to light disturbing allegations of severe exploitation and inhumane working conditions faced by laborers at the construction site for the new United States Consulate in Milan. The workers, primarily from Kenya and India, employed by the Caddell company, describe a system of alleged abuse that includes drastically low wages, unsanitary food, and constant threats of dismissal and forced repatriation.
The Abrupt Dismissal: “Please return to your country of origin without delay”
The ordeal for several workers culminated in an abrupt dismissal, communicated through a letter stating, “We kindly ask you to return to your country of origin without delay.” However, the reality of their termination was even more brutal. “We arrived at the construction site, and they told us they no longer needed us and that we had to leave our homes within two days,” recounts one of the affected individuals.
Currently, four Kenyans and two Indians, aged between 29 and 51, find themselves homeless near the residences where Caddell had initially housed them. Some have resorted to sleeping in parks, while others have found temporary shelter. These individuals share a common experience: working for Caddell on the Milan US Consulate project. Notably, the four Kenyans had previously worked for Caddell on the American embassy in Nairobi, under similarly dire conditions.
A Veil of Secrecy: Fear and Intimidation Among Workers
Despite their fear of repercussions, the workers have bravely come forward, presenting documents, payslips, and access badges to the construction site. They insist on anonymity, fearing further retaliation. In their broken English, they detailed the harsh conditions imposed on them. “We worked six days a week, 12 hours a day, with a one-hour lunch break,” one worker revealed. “If we missed even one day, we weren’t paid for the next three, and if someone didn’t show up for work for three days, the penalty was repatriation.”
The testimonies paint a grim picture, with multiple voices corroborating the same story, always with the caveat of remaining unnamed. “For lunch, we ate what we had prepared ourselves, because the food there is terrible: rotten fish that stinks, uncooked rice, horrible salad, very hard bread.” Adding insult to injury, six euros were deducted from their salaries for each meal, an amount equivalent to nearly five hours of work. The actual hourly wage fluctuated between a meager 1.43 and 1.80 euros. Despite these abysmal rates, payslips were allegedly manipulated to appear regular.
Systematic Control and Discrimination
The workers also described a highly controlled environment. “At six in the morning, a bus would take us to the construction site; whoever missed it risked a fine of three days’ pay. And then the Turks would threaten us if we exchanged a few words on the site.” This highlights a clear hierarchy, with superiors predominantly Turkish. The workforce comprised various nationalities, mainly Indians (around 500), about forty Kenyans, and a smaller number of Turks and Romanians. Contracts reportedly varied based on nationality. “The Turks have a different treatment; their boss pays them well, and they have no problems,” a worker stated, adding that Italian workers enjoyed better hours and weekends off.
Accommodation also reflected this disparity. While Turkish and Romanian workers were housed in studios shared by two, with rent covered, others were forced to share rooms with three people and pay 510 euros per month each. “And during our day off, we were also controlled in the residence, because they didn’t want us to talk to Italians, for someone to report it.” Even now, after exposing these conditions, the workers remain deeply fearful.
Union Intervention and Unanswered Questions
In response to these grave allegations, trade unions Fillea Cgil, Filca Cisl, and Feneal Uil have organized a two-hour solidarity picket for tomorrow at 9 AM, directly in front of the new US Consulate construction site at Via Achille Papa 22B. This action aims to draw attention to the plight of these workers and demand accountability from Caddell and the relevant authorities.
The revelations raise serious questions about the oversight of international construction projects, particularly those involving diplomatic facilities. How could such egregious labor practices go unnoticed or unaddressed for so long? What responsibility do the US authorities bear in ensuring ethical labor standards on their construction sites abroad? The workers’ testimonies paint a disturbing picture of systemic exploitation, demanding immediate and thorough investigation.
The fear expressed by the workers underscores the vulnerability of migrant laborers in such environments, where the promise of work can quickly turn into a nightmare of abuse and intimidation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust enforcement of labor laws and greater transparency in global supply chains.
The incident has also prompted a raid by the Carabinieri, who intercepted workers after their shift to take them to the barracks for questioning, indicating a formal investigation is now underway.
Our questions remain:
- What measures will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected workers?
- Will Caddell face legal consequences for the alleged exploitation?
- What steps will the US State Department take to prevent similar abuses in future projects?
- Will there be a comprehensive investigation into the entire supply chain and labor practices at the Milan consulate construction site?
The international community and human rights organizations are closely watching this case, hoping that justice will be served and that this exposé will lead to meaningful reforms in the protection of vulnerable workers.
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_02/milano-la-lettera-di-licenziamento-degli-operai-cadwell-addetti-al-consolato-usa-la-preghiamo-di-far-rientro-nel-suo-paese-d-79bf8b2a-1bbb-47e1-909c-9b4f634b9xlk.shtml
