by InTrieste
Authorities in Trieste have launched a provincial branch of Italy’s Quality Agricultural Labor Network, an initiative aimed at combating illegal labor practices and worker exploitation in the agricultural sector through greater coordination between public institutions, employers and trade unions.
The agreement, signed on Monday, establishes the provincial section of the network under the coordination of the Prefecture of Trieste. The initiative seeks to strengthen efforts against illegal hiring practices, undeclared work and labor exploitation while promoting workplace safety, training and support services for agricultural workers.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional councillor for labor, Alessia Rosolen, said the protocol brings together existing measures designed to prevent labor exploitation and improve working conditions in agriculture.
The initiative also aims to encourage agricultural businesses to adopt ethical and organizational standards that enhance the quality of production while supporting sustainable economic development in rural communities.
Rosolen said the project complements existing regional programs, including Programma Integra, which promotes the social and employment inclusion of disadvantaged people, as well as broader initiatives focused on workplace safety.
The Trieste agreement is the first in a series of provincial protocols expected to be signed across Friuli Venezia Giulia in the coming weeks. The regional rollout will involve the departments responsible for agriculture and local government, while implementation will be overseen by the steering committee of the Quality Agricultural Labor Network at Italy’s National Social Security Institute (INPS).
The network is based on cooperation among three main groups: public institutions, employers and labor unions. Signatories include the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Prefecture of Trieste, INPS, the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), the Territorial Labor Inspectorate, major agricultural organizations including Confagricoltura, Coldiretti, the Italian Farmers Confederation (CIA) and Copagri, as well as the trade unions Fai-Cisl, Flai-Cgil and Uila-Uil.
The protocol outlines several priorities, including promoting legal employment practices, supporting businesses that comply with labor regulations, improving transport and logistical services for agricultural workers, and establishing ongoing monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the measures.
