Caritas of Alba reports record labor violations during grape harvest

The Caritas of Alba has issued a report describing the 2026 grape harvest in the Alba region as a record year for violations and injustices. The organization highlighted severe issues affecting approximately 6,000 workers, including 16 makeshift settlements and instances where workers were charged 200 to 300 euros per month for a bed.

Reported labor abuses include undeclared work, incorrect pay slips, wages below minimum standards, unpaid labor, excessive hours, and a lack of adequate breaks or rest days. Don Degiorgis, director of Caritas, noted that he had previously received indirect threats from 'caporali' (labor brokers) after attempting to speak out about these conditions.

Bishop Marco Brunetti has called for civil and social institutions to move beyond emergency responses and instead implement structural, long-term solutions to ensure the rights and dignity of seasonal workers are respected in the future.