Foreign workers building a new US Consulate in Milan, Italy, claim they were paid less than $2 an hour, despite being promised fair wages. The workers, mostly from India, were allegedly paid as little as 500 euros ($580) per month after room and board were deducted.
Investigation Underway
Italian prosecutors are investigating Caddell Construction, the US-based company behind the project, for labor exploitation. Two of its managers in Italy have been arrested, and the company is cooperating with the investigation.
The US State Department has also launched an investigation into the allegations and is working with Italian authorities. Caddell Construction has stated that it is committed to treating and paying workers fairly and is conducting its own inquiry into the matter.
The workers, who were hired to work on the $350 million project, claim they were threatened with deportation if they questioned their pay. They have provided documentation, including employment letters and pay stubs, to support their claims.
Worker Testimonies
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that he was paid just 800 euros ($925) per month, despite being promised 2,300 euros ($2,660). Another worker claimed that he was threatened with defamation after presenting a summary of Italian labor law to management.
The workers are seeking help from trade unions and are calling for justice. They believe that they were taken advantage of due to their vulnerable position as foreign workers in a foreign country.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what actions will be taken against Caddell Construction. The incident highlights the importance of protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that companies operate fairly and transparently.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
