Immigrant Labor Fuels Italy’s Food Industry, Report Finds

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A recent report examining Italy’s food industry highlights immigrant workers' significant yet often hidden contributions. While official government data showed immigrants made up 31.7% of the labor force, the report suggests exploitation and informal work means this figure underrepresents their true involvement.

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Nearly half of all legal actions from 2017–2021 in the agriculture and food sector related to illegal labor practices, underscoring the challenges immigrants face. Top source countries included Romania, Morocco, India, Albania, and Senegal, though sub-Saharan Africans were likely undercounted.

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The diversity of immigrant roles is shown through regional case studies, from fruit pickers in Piedmont to dairy workers in Lombardy. With over €600 billion in food revenue and €64 billion in exports, Italy’s food sector survival depends on this labor.

Addressing exploitation and better representing immigrants’ integral positions is paramount. The union calls for a depoliticized, planned immigration system recognizing migrants as Italy’s future workforce amid its aging population and food industry growth. Tackling these issues is crucial for the country’s economic prosperity.