Among the complaints against exploitation in the world of work, some make more noise than others. Especially those that, despite an apparent seriousness according to the unions, proceed slowly.
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A few weeks ago, journalistic sources were already talking about dozens of complaints waiting for a response in the restaurant sector. Moreover, it is no surprise that the Milan prosecutor’s office is struggling due to a shortage of administrative staff: last March, the investigators themselves spoke of nine thousand slow-moving files, partly already processed and closed with requests for dismissal or notices of conclusion of investigations. Some are particularly alarming as they exemplify a phenomenon of labor exploitation at all levels in the city of Milan.
In April 2024, complaints were made by the unions to the prosecutor’s office against the catering companies La Filetteria and El Tacomaki (both linked to the Sun Tzu holding). Various accusations: contributions were not regularly paid; no health checks were carried out either before or during the work; no training and no safety officer were present. The complaint states that “workers certainly received wages disproportionate to the amount of work performed, receiving pay lower than agreed,” furthermore “in degrading working conditions, with the obligation to consent to perform indefinite unpaid overtime at the employer’s discretion, for fear of losing their job.” It also mentions employment relationships ended by voluntary resignation “due to non-payment of wages” already in 2023, “unpaid leave” compensated with other irregular forms of reimbursement. Another critical aspect is “the willful omission of precautions against accidents.”
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At least seven workers have given their direct testimony of the abuses, all foreign nationals, easily manipulated by the employer in the payroll formulation. A particularly striking fact considering, the complaint reports, that the financial director had told the press at the time about the strong increase in turnover, from 700 thousand euros in 2019 to 12 million in 2022. Meanwhile, after the complaint, the group went bankrupt. And after two years, obtaining compensation is definitely more complicated.
Last February, another complaint was made to the authorities. The accusation is directed at the Fratelli di San Francesco d’Assisi Onlus Foundation, which operates in Milan and Lombardy in the sector of welcoming homeless people, asylum seekers, and people in conditions of severe marginalization. The statements reported in the document reveal “a picture characterized by the systematic use of labor in conditions of particular personal, economic, and administrative vulnerability in carrying out essential activities for the functioning of the facilities (canteen, warehouse, laundry, cleaning, night surveillance, access and attendance management).” Workers report having performed tasks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. receiving compensation of 5-600 euros, “paid informally by an internal contact.” The testimonies also speak of accommodation in the facility, within “a rigid daily structure” and task definition “even in the absence of a residence permit.”
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