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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.