Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Satnam Singh, an Indian farm worker who died under tragic circumstances after being abandoned by his employer following a severe workplace injury. The incident shocked Italy, sparking nationwide protests demanding justice and improved labour laws.
Satnam Singh, 31, who was working without legal papers, died last week after his arm was severed by a machine. Instead of seeking medical help, his employer reportedly dumped him on the roadside with his severed limb. Local police responded quickly to a distress call from Singh’s wife and friends, dispatching an air ambulance, but Singh did not survive.
In Parliament, Meloni expressed her condolences to Singh and his family, denouncing the act as “inhuman” and promising strict punishment for those responsible. “These are inhuman acts that do not belong to the Italian people. I hope that this barbarity will be punished harshly,” she said.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Italian Parliament pays homage to Indian farm worker Satnam Singh who died in the country due to neglect by his employer. Italian Cabinet, including FM Antonio Tajani stand up to pay tributes.pic.twitter.com/9tHNV5678D https://t.co/8qWXO8AH8I
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 26, 2024
The incident ignited widespread protests across Italy, with demonstrators calling for swift justice and better protection for labourers. Gurumukh Singh, head of the Indian community in Lazia, condemned the exploitation faced by workers. “He was thrown out like a dog. There was exploitation every day, we suffer it every day, it must end now,” he said, as reported by NDTV.
The incident has also sparked debate about the systemic abuses in Italy’s agriculture sector, where undocumented workers often face harsh conditions and exploitation. Parambar Singh, a labourer who suffered a serious eye injury in a work accident, shared his plight with NDTV, “Satnam died one day, I die every day. Because I too am a labour victim,” he said. Despite his injuries, his employer refused to take him to the hospital because he lacked a contract. “I have been waiting 10 months for justice,” he added.
