Yet another caporalato scandal-this time involving a famous Milanese company, StraBerry-confirms the endemic spread of exploitation of laborers in agriculture. However, there are virtuous networks to be recognized and enhanced, and some unresolved issues.
StraBerry, exploitation of laborers
The StraBerry Brand of the Cascina Pirola farm in Cassina de Pecchi is well known to Lombardians. It recurs on the colorful Ape Piaggios that sell strawberries and small red fruits at zero kilometers on the road, as well as on the shelves of the many stores. The packages are even accompanied by a code that allows the traceability of the fruits to be known. ‘When, where and by whom they were harvested,’ reads the website of the company already honored by Coldiretti.
An audit by the Guardia di Finanza , however, revealed the dark side of StraBerry. The systematic exploitation of a hundred foreign laborers, mostly Africans. 9-hour shifts under relentless sun and the eye of vigilantes. And a pay of 4.50 euros per hour, far less than the expected CCNL compensation (6.71 euros). The military therefore proceeded to seize the company and its million-dollar assets.
Humus Job, work and dignity
Among the virtuous experiences-in addition to Coop Italia’s Good and Fair campaign and other initiatives reviewed in the BeAware report (2018)-the Humus Job platform also deserves attention.
Humus Job
– in mediating between supply and demand for labor in agriculture – combines ethical sustainability (legality and workers’ rights) with economic sustainability, which in turn is essential. Through territorial network contracts, which allow labor resources to be shared(job sharing) and reduce the cost impact on individual enterprises. With the guarantee of worker-friendly employment conditions, as has already been experienced with the first networks in the Cuneo area.
Trentino, agricultural work even with subsidies
The autonomous province of Trento has activated the Labor Agency to fill the high demand for seasonal labor. For apple picking especially, which lasts until November. With the diktat of regularity of contracts, of course.
Agricultural job offers are also open to beneficiaries of social safety nets (ex. unemployment benefits, NASpi, DIS-Coll, citizenship income, etc.). The only limit for these categories, for subsidy maintenance, is the duration of the contract (maximum 60 days) and the maximum compensation (€ 2,000 total, for 2020).
Unresolved issues
Labor in agriculture-as in every other sector and industry-must come with full respect for legality and workers’ rights, without ifs and buts. This is true for supply chains based on foreign agricultural raw materials-such as hazelnuts and palm oil, where child exploitation still prevails-but also for European and Italian agriculture, where caporalato is still endemic.
Therefore, unresolved issues should be directed to different parties:
– to the ministers of Agriculture, Labor and Social Welfare, Interior, and Justice, define a joint program of controls aimed at ending exploitation in agriculture once and for all. Technology (use of drones and satellite image collection) can be of great help, all the more so where laborers work in the sunlight. The mere fact that the most serious investigation in recent years arose from the
reportage
of a foreign newspaper is emblematic of the lack of political will to restore legality,
– agricultural confederations, Coldiretti in the first place, to adopt codes of ethics and enforce compliance. In the continuing ‘hunt for members,’ agricultural representations seem completely indifferent to phenomena such as caporalato and fraud (of which recent example in the Coccodì scandal). Without realizing how these phenomena cause serious harm to the entire agricultural sector in Italy. Which the foreign press in fact often associates with the underworld.
The power of the market
Large-scale retailing (GDO ) and discount stores are increasingly dedicated in Italy to boasting their false merits in sustainability, as we have seen. Greenwashing. None of the major players in modern distribution, however, have ever taken the trouble to ensure that all their suppliers respect legality and workers’ rights throughout the supply chain. Starting with fruits and vegetables and products of first industrial processing. Outside Coop Italia, the only one to guarantee in supermarkets since 1998 – through application of the SA8000 standard – fruit and vegetables ‘without exploitation’.
To consumAtors, finally and in principle, the power of choice. Outside the short supply chain and shelf-stable products certified ‘without caporalato’.
Dario Dongo and Marta Strinati
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
