We often tend to associate human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation with extreme situations, distant places or criminal networks that seem far removed from our everyday lives. It is important, however, to consider the extent to which this phenomenon is present in Italy and what role businesses can play in preventing it.
Human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation is a serious crime and a violation of human rights that affects the lives of millions of people worldwide. It is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of coercion, fraud, abuse of power or the exploitation of a position of vulnerability, for the purpose of subjecting them to forced labour or services. In such situations, people are controlled or manipulated and forced to work in exploitative conditions, often through threats, debt, false promises regarding working conditions or abuse of their state of need (United Nations Protocol against Trafficking, 2000).
Migrants and refugees may be more vulnerable to situations of risk, particularly when they lack documents, residence permits or work permits. According to recent statistics shared by SIRIT, the Permanent Observatory on Phenomena Related to Human Trafficking and Severe Exploitation, there were 2,853 people at risk of trafficking in Italy in 2024. This is, however, a partial estimate: many people choose not to seek help out of fear or a lack of trust. In fact, the actual number could be as high as 20,000. In Italy, a significant proportion of cases involve labour exploitation (22.5%) and sexual exploitation (16.4%). The people involved come from developing countries, including: Nigeria (22.2%), Morocco (10.8%), Ivory Coast (10.7%), Bangladesh (9.5%), Tunisia (7.0%), Pakistan (5.7%), and India (4.7%).
Italy is regarded not only as a destination country for people travelling along the Central Mediterranean route, but also as a major transit point for victims continuing on to other European countries (GRETA, 2024). According to data from 2024, the highest percentage of victims within the country is found in: Emilia-Romagna (14.3%), Veneto (12.7%), Lazio (10.6%), Lombardy (9.4%), and Sicily (8.7%).
Cases of exploitation occur across various sectors, although some appear to be more at risk than others. In southern Italy, for example, large-scale agricultural production relies heavily on seasonal migrant labour. In this context, the phenomenon of caporalato – an illegal system of labour recruitment – continues to underpin the exploitation of thousands of migrants working in the agricultural, construction and logistics sectors (GRETA, 2024).
In the northern regions, exploitation also extends to the textile and hospitality sectors, with cases of people being recruited under false pretences or subjected to coercive conditions.
Furthermore, in urban areas, many people are mainly employed in domestic or care work, often in conditions of total isolation within private homes.
The sectors most at risk share certain common characteristics: heavy reliance on seasonal work or subcontracting, low pay, illicit or informal recruitment practices, and insufficient monitoring by labour inspectorates.
Companies and businesses may also, sometimes unwittingly, be exposed to risks linked to human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Such risks are not necessarily attributable to the company’s own practices, but may emerge at a later stage, in subcontracting agreements or within the supply chain.
Being aware of this phenomenon and understanding the mechanisms underpinning it helps businesses avoid potential legal or financial problems, or damage to their reputation. Preventing these risks therefore becomes not only an ethical responsibility, but also a practical way of making a company more resilient, responsible and competitive in the long term.
However, corporate responsibility is not limited to these aspects.
Companies are the key players in the labour market and supply chains. The decisions they make every day, from selecting suppliers to managing contracts, have a significant impact on the organisation of work and market conditions. Operating ethically, therefore, not only strengthens the company but also helps to improve the quality of the market and the society in which we live. Companies can therefore play a significant role in preventing and reducing human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.
EMBRACE provides practical tools and collaborative solutions designed to highlight the seriousness of the issue and emphasise the role of businesses in prevention and combating efforts, through Standard Operating Procedures designed to support companies in preventing, identifying and responding to the risks of labour exploitation within supply chains.
Furthermore, EMBRACE offers training programmes aimed at those involved in preventing trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.
With regard to commercial activities, the training will help companies to recognise the indicators of trafficking, adopt responsible policies for managing supply chains and apply practical tools to prevent exploitation within their business operations.
For civil society organisations, the aim is to provide support to migrants at risk of labour exploitation, with a particular focus on digital recruitment channels. The training programmes are designed to help participants recognise the signs of exploitation, understand their rights, and navigate recruitment procedures more safely.
For those working within labour inspectorates, a training programme is planned to provide all the practical skills needed to identify indicators of labour exploitation during inspections carried out within companies. Through case studies and simulations, participants will be able to strengthen their analytical skills, conduct effective investigations and better protect workers living in situations of risk.
Finally, the reporting platform will enable workers, migrants and consumers to report suspected cases of exploitation, helping to promote greater transparency and a sense of responsibility within the private sector.
About EMBRACE
EMBRACE – Empowering Business Communities to Prevent Labour Trafficking is a two-year project co-funded by AMIF programme of the European Union (AMIF-2024-TF2-AG-THB, DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR MIGRATION AND HOME AFFAIRS).
Partners
- ELIEEP – HELLENIC FOUNDATION FOR EUROPEAN AND FOREIGN POLICY) (ELIAMEP), Grecia (Coordinatore)
- MINISTRY OF MIGRATION AND ASYLUM, Greece
- APOSTOLI, Greece
- GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK GREECE, Greece
- CESIE ETS, Italy
- CONFESERCENTI PROVINCIALE DI PALERMO, Italy
- BULGARIAN FOUNDATION FOR BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, Bulgaria
- NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS, Bulgaria
- PIHRB – POLISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS, Poland
- LA STRADA FOUNDATION, Poland
- HEUNI – THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL, Finland
- COMMIT GLOBAL, Netherlands
For further information
Read more about EMBRACE.
Contact Cecilie La Monica Grus: cecilie.lamonica@cesie.org
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
