Quatro immigrant agricultural workers were burned to death inside a vehicle in the Calábria region. The crime occurred on Monday (1st) in Corigliano-Rossano, in the south of Itália. Police arrested two Pakistani suspects identified as intermediaries of the system known as caporalato.
The victims are three Afghans and one Pakistani. Elas worked on rural properties in the region with low and irregular wages. An Afghan survivor escaped the fire by jumping out of a car window and helped with the investigation.
Ataque recorded on security cameras
Images from a nearby gas station showed the moment of the crime. The suspects blocked the car doors, poured gasoline and set it on fire with a lighter. Firefighters controlled the flames, but found four charred bodies inside the vehicle.
The survivor reported that the attack happened after abusive charging for transportation to the farms. The victims were unable to pay the amount charged by intermediaries because of low income.
- The suspects acted as caporali, recruiters who control precarious labor.
- The system mainly exploits immigrants in irregular conditions.
- Câmeras surveillance was decisive in identifying those involved.
- The investigation is being carried out under secrecy at the local prosecutor’s office.
Sistema from caporalato links crime to modern slavery
The episode reignited discussions about caporalato on Itália. Esse model involves intermediaries who recruit workers for large agricultural holdings, often with links to criminal groups. Relatórios indicate that around 70% of workers in these conditions work without a formal contract.
Exploration is not limited to the south. Similar Casos occur in the north of the country, including in sectors such as civil construction. Em Milão, authorities arrested a company director accused of subjecting Indian workers to exhausting hours for meager wages.
Lei Counter Exploit Faces Enforcement Difficulties
The Italian Parlamento approved a strict rule in 2025 that provides for up to six years in prison and confiscation of assets for exploiters. Apesar Furthermore, the country has an insufficient number of labor inspectors. Especialistas estimate a shortage of at least 6,000 inspectors to cover all regions.
Autoridades reinforced monitoring after the crime. The case also caught the attention of unions and the Catholic Church, who called for more effective measures against work similar to slavery.
Exploração extends beyond agriculture
The phenomenon affects different sectors. In logistics, the textile industry and construction, immigrants face precarious conditions. At a recent construction site in the north, workers reported working 12-hour shifts per day with minimal pay.
The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether mafia organizations work behind the caporali in Calábria. The region has a history of influence by criminal groups in legal and illegal economic activities.
National Repercussão and initial arrests
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed shock at the crime. The arrests of the two suspects took place less than 24 hours after the incident. Investigations continue to determine whether other people participated in the planning or execution.
The survivor remains under protection. Ele provided details about the abusive charges that preceded the attack.