More than €30 million recovered, mostly for the workers, and 265 residence permits already issued. That is the outcome of an operation against gangmastering (caporalato) coordinated by Milan prosecutors, involving 292 Indian workers employed to build the new US consulate. The money covers unpaid overtime, housing, moral damages, social security contributions and severance pay.
Labour Minister Marina Calderone said the result shows that “those who report are not alone”.
A permit for those who report
The tool used is Article 18-ter of the Consolidated Immigration Act, introduced by Decree-Law 145 of 2024. It provides a special-grounds residence permit for foreign victims of labour exploitation who cooperate with the authorities — including people who were undocumented.
It concerns Bangladeshis too
The Milan case involves Indian workers, but exploitation affects many communities. In shipyards and construction, for example, cases have been documented of Bangladeshi workers forced to hand part of their wages back to foremen.
Where to turn
- the National Labour Inspectorate or the Carabinieri labour protection units;
- trade unions (CGIL, CISL, UIL) and migrant help desks;
- the free, anonymous anti-trafficking hotline 800 290 290.
Keep your payslips, messages and any proof of the hours you actually worked.
