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Global General

Italy in racism debate as migrants quit riot town

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-11 10:18

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Italy in racism debate as migrants quit riot town

Immigrants leave the makeshift camp in the countryside near the village of Rosarno, southern Italy, January 9, 2010. [Agencies]

Some 8,000 illegal immigrants work in Calabria, most as day labourers picking fruit and vegetables.

Many live in abandoned factories with no running water or electricity and human rights groups say they are exploited by the 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful mafia organisation.

"The state does not exist in Calabria, it's the 'Ndrangheta which regulates social relations," said Pierferdinando Casini, leader of the opposition Union of Christian Democrats party.

Roberto Calderoli, a minister from the same far-right Northern League party as interior minister Maroni, said with unemployment at 18 percent in the south of Italy, "work should go to the Italians ... not to illegal immigrants".

If necessary, agricultural pay levels should be increased to make them acceptable to locals, he said.

Silvio Berlusconi's government has taken a hard line against illegal immigration and has moved to stem a tide of immigrants who board boats in Africa to try to reach its southern shores.

Some boats have been turned back on the open seas, prompting criticism of the Italian government by the United Nations' refugee agency. The European Commission has also voiced concern over the policy.