An investigation into the alleged exploitation of 84 foreign farm workers harvesting berries in Trentino has prompted a firm response from Coldiretti Trentino Alto Adige. As reported by L’Adige, the association condemns the conduct at the centre of the investigation and stresses the need to protect workers and law-abiding farms.
The investigation and preventive seizure
According to the newspaper, the investigation by Trento’s Guardia di Finanza and the Province’s Labour Service covers the period between 2018 and 2024. Investigators allege that the workers were exploited in berry harvesting during those years.
At the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the judge for preliminary investigations ordered a preventive seizure of more than €790,000 in assets from a Trentino entrepreneur and five family members, suspected of involvement in a criminal organisation aimed at labour exploitation and fraud. Their responsibility has yet to be established.
Coldiretti’s position
The president of Coldiretti Trentino Alto Adige, Gianluca Barbacovi, expressed the organisation’s firm condemnation. In comments reported by L’Adige, he distanced the association from the alleged conduct: “What happened has nothing to do with the law-abiding agricultural sector, with decent work in our countryside, or with the values of ethics, respect and transparency that guide our businesses.”
Barbacovi described the conduct that has emerged as “a purely criminal matter” and stressed the need to remain vigilant against illegal practices and social marginalisation, as well as infiltration by organised crime into agricultural supply chains.
Workers’ rights and competition between businesses
According to Coldiretti, exploiting people’s vulnerability has consequences for the entire sector: alongside the violation of fundamental rights, it creates unfair competition for the thousands of farms in Trentino that comply with the rules.
“Our shared objective must be to isolate and impose extremely severe penalties on those who operate outside the law,” Barbacovi said.
The organisation highlighted its support for the law against illegal labour recruitment and exploitation and its collaboration with the Fondazione Osservatorio Agromafie to map illegal activities. It also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring dignity, safety and protection for agricultural workers.
“There is no room, and there never will be, for illegal practices within our organisation,” the president concluded.
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