Calabria advances new law to combat caporalato after Amendolara farm killings

Regional councillor Elisabetta Barbuto (M5S) deposited a legislative proposal in the Calabria regional council aimed at curbing illegal labor and exploitation in agriculture. The draft, prompted by the recent fire that killed four migrant farm workers in Amendolara, calls for a public register of “virtuous” farms that have no recent convictions or sanctions and offers them a 5 % advantage in regional and EU tenders. The plan foresees information campaigns, cooperation with employment centres and the use of existing European and national funds, without creating new regional budget expenses.

In the neighbouring Basilicata region, councilor Antonio Bochicchio highlighted the work of the regional observatory on legality and organized crime, which has been analysing the caporalato phenomenon, especially concerning non‑EU migrant workers. He urged the full activation of existing anti‑exploitation tools and the establishment of an immigration observatory to strengthen prevention and repression of labour trafficking.

Both officials called for coordinated institutional action to prevent further tragedies and to protect legitimate agricultural enterprises.