Ethical Analysis

Migrant workers in fields. Courtesy of Carlos Chavarría.

Italian agricultures remains at the forefront when it comes to organic farming, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation (1). The country of Italy alone has 72,000 organic operators, and 10.5% of arable land is dedicated to organic agriculture according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Biodiversity conservation is also crucial in Italy, with 40,000 farms committed to conserve seeds and plants at risk of extinction. Italy also ranks high in the Food Sustainability Index, according to a report from the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (2017).

However, the gratification of these accomplishments can overshadow the unethical practices that occur underneath the surface. One of the main concerns within Italian agriculture is the conditions of the migrant workers, employment of illegal workers, and slave labor. Specifically, there are a huge amount of farmers—some 400,000—who employ illegal workers (1). The illegal workers that are employed are often employed through a black market, which is a very unethical practice. The employment of illegal workers can also become controversial to some if the economy and employment rates of Italians are impacted in a negative way. Additionally, the commercial producers, many of whom are large exporters or steady suppliers in Italian restaurants, exploit their migrant workers through harmful or inadequate working conditions and pay. A vast majority of the agricutltural workers do not have a work contract and receive insufficient wages of about $27-$32 a day (2). The absence of a work contract makes the employer less connected to the worker, and because this relationship has no ability to be formed initially, this would make it easier for the employer to not feel compassion for what they put their employees through. Additionally, almost half of the seasonal workers sleep on mattresses on the ground, while about 18% sleep directly on the structure in structure without water, light, or hygiene services. Because of these conditions, many of the workers experience health problems (2). These health problems that can occur play a crucial role in deciding if the Italian agriculture is truly sustainable in terms of how the workers are able to produce the food and what conditions they must endure to do so.

  1. Srour, M. (2019, January 10). Italy has the 'Greenest Agriculture' in Europe, but it's not sustainable. Retrieved March 25, 2021, from http://www.ipsnews.net/2018/12/italy-greenest-agriculture-europe-not-sustainable/

  2. The Local Italy. (2015, December 18). Italy's migrant workers face 'dire' conditions. Retrieved March 25, 2021, from https://www.thelocal.it/20151218/italys-migrant-workers-face-dire-conditions/

  3. Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition. (2017). Food Sustainability Index 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2021, from https://www.barillacfn.com/m/pdf/FoodSustainabilityIndex2017GlobalExecutiveSummary.pdf

Cover photo courtesy of Shostal Associates