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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.

 

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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