PROJECT

Agriculture plays an important role in the local economy, but seasonal workers are vulnerable to exploitation

No work
without dignity

The Dignità in Campo project is taking action in two Italian cities – Saluzzo, in Piedmont, and Syracuse, in Sicily – to ensure agricultural workers can do their jobs with dignity.

GOALS
  • Create country-wide networks to prevent exploitative labor practices, including underpayment and overly long or difficult work
  • Share plans and processes to promote decent work
  • Support local policies to develop a social economy
  • Promote a communications campaign to raise awareness about the problem

Background

Supply chain issues

In recent years, the diffusion of large-scale distribution centers has transformed agricultural supply chains.

Seasonal workers

In Saluzzo and Syracuse, most seasonal workers arrive from Sub-Saharan Africa, often after a long journey by land and sea.

Permits and contracts

A 2018 government decree destabilized seasonal workers by revoking their right to a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

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Communications campaign

The Dignità in Campo project aims to shift public perception of the issue through a grassroots communications plan.

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Hackathon

More than 60 students participated in the hackathons in Saluzzo and Syracuse, both held over four days.

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It is a mistake to believe that illegal hiring happens in only one part of this country. It is a universal phenomenon, and it involves everyone.

Jean René BILONGO, Federation of Agro-Industrial Workers of the Italian General Confederation of Labor

Timeline

The Dignità in Campo project started in 2018. Since then, stakeholders have worked together to identify the two experimental territories, Saluzzo and Syracuse, and begun the process of awareness raising, strategic communication, and capacity building. Based on their experiences in the field, stakeholders are developing new ways to support social economies.

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