The Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged the Italian authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by strengthening measures to combat trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, ensuring effective sanctions for human traffickers, and providing compensation to victims.

In its latest report, GRETA assesses developments since the publication of its second evaluation report on Italy in 2019 as regards the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Among other findings, GRETA recognises that efforts have been made to improve the detection of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers, notably by the territorial commissions for the recognition of international protection. However, GRETA is concerned that the restrictive immigration measures adopted by Italy foster a climate of criminalisation of migrants, resulting in many potential victims of trafficking not reporting their cases for fear of detention and deportation.

According to the report, Italy has taken measures to prevent trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, such as the adoption of guidelines on the identification, protection, and assistance to victims of labour exploitation in agriculture. However, labour exploitation continues to be deeply rooted in some sectors which are highly dependent on migrant labour. GRETA calls on the authorities to step up their efforts to combat trafficking for labour exploitation, including by ensuring that sufficient resources are made available to labour inspectors, strengthening the monitoring of at-risk sectors, and guaranteeing that the living and working conditions of migrant workers meet the requirements laid down in the legislation with a view to preventing abuses.