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Nick Kightley reflects on the brutal murder by gangmasters of Adnan Siddique, a migrant worker from Lahore

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  • Nick Kightley
  • 12 August 2020

I don’t know how to mark the death of Adnan Siddique in Sicily.

Italian investigators, who have arrested five suspects, believe Siddique, a migrant worker from Lahore, was killed as punishment for defending migrant farm workers who were being exploited by criminal gang masters by translating complaints for the police.

It’s not a surprise and I wrote a blog about this same failed system quite recently.

It is a tragedy for him, his family and friends.

It is a tragedy for every other worker held under the Caporalato system in Italy, who is yet again reminded to live in fear.

It is a tragedy for every farmer who would like to run their business in a more ethical way, without the risk of becoming a dead hero.

It is a tragedy for Italy, a beautiful country that yet again has its dark side exposed.

It is a tragedy for an industry that is trapped in inertia and waiting for leadership to escape a failed business system.

It is a tragedy for all those working to bring change but who are here reminded of the risks.

It is a tragedy for Italy, a beautiful country that yet again has its dark side exposed.

It should be a pain in the side of all of us because we have not done enough.

ETI remains committed to collaborating and facilitating with and through its members and other local co-operators to bring about industry and system change here.

But sadly this can only be a long, slow process, with many blockages to progress, and there will be more Adnans along the way. People have every right to be angry at this.

 

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ETI's blog covers issues at the intersection of business, news and ethical trade. We welcome a range of insights and opinions from our guest bloggers, though don't necessarily agree with everything they say.

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