Home Italy Exploitation at work: measures taken against circus business owner

Exploitation at work: measures taken against circus business owner

An in-depth investigation by the Carabinieri led to precautionary measures against an Italian citizen accused of illegal labor intermediation. The case highlights severe issues regarding worker safety and rights.

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A tragic accident unveils a grim reality

The investigation began in December 2023 after a tragic workplace accident in Genoa earlier that year. An Indian citizen, irregularly employed by a circus business, fell from a height of approximately 20 meters while dismantling a circus tent, sustaining severe injuries that left him in a coma for months.

Testimonies revealed that the employer attempted to conceal the accident by moving the injured worker and tampering with the scene to avoid legal repercussions. Cooperation between the Carabinieri and Genoa’s Workplace Safety Service helped uncover a system of labor exploitation.

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Exploited workers’ degrading conditions

The investigation uncovered degrading working and living conditions for at least four Indian workers, with others still being identified. Key findings include:

  • Substandard housing: Workers lived in an overcrowded caravan with 14 people sharing a single bathroom and kitchen.
  • Meager wages: They were paid €180–€250 weekly, insufficient to maintain the caravan and meet personal needs.
  • Excessive working hours: They worked 10-hour days, seven days a week, without rest, holidays, or proper compensation.
  • Lack of safety: Tent assembly and disassembly were carried out without personal protective equipment, exposing workers to high risks.

The Genoa court issued personal (house arrest) and property-related measures (preventive seizure). During the operation, authorities seized:

  • 67 vehicles and circus equipment, including the tent;
  • bank accounts linked to the business owner;
  • the entire individual business.
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