Four Romanians are accused in Sicily of exploiting foreign workers, forced to work 70 hours a week in inhumane conditions.

Italian authorities have arrested four Romanians accused of exploiting foreign workers in Sicily.

The investigation was opened after four Moroccan citizens filed a complaint, reporting abusive working conditions between January and May 2024. They were forced to work 70 hours a week, without rest days, being paid about one euro for each crate of oranges.

The leader of the operation has been placed under house arrest, while the other three accomplices have been summoned to appear before the authorities. The workers were housed in accommodations without electricity and water, and their rent was deducted from their salaries. The case highlights the persistent problem of the exploitation of migrant workers in Italy, where illegal networks recruit vulnerable individuals. The number of exploitation cases has increased by nearly 50% in 2024, reaching 1,249 cases.