Manager detained in Milan U.S. consulate labour exploitation probe amid fears of escape

Rome— Italian prosecutors have ordered the detention of a Turkish construction manager accused in an investigation into the alleged exploitation of Indian labourers employed on the construction of the new United States consulate in Milan.

Ulas Demir, 46, a manager connected to the Italian branch of American contractor Caddell Construction Co., was stopped at Bergamo's Orio al Serio airport while preparing to board a flight to Istanbul with his family, authorities said.

The detention was ordered by Milan prosecutors Paolo Storari and Mauro Clerici on grounds that Demir posed a flight risk following what investigators described as evidence of an intention to leave Italy.

The development marks a significant escalation in the Milan prosecutors' investigation into alleged labour exploitation and illegal hiring practices at the diplomatic construction site.

According to investigators, Demir and Caddell Construction Co. are under scrutiny following inspections carried out on May 29 that reportedly uncovered "numerous violations" at the building site.

Prosecutors allege that Indian workers recruited through a New Delhi based company, Dynamic House, were employed under conditions amounting to severe exploitation, taking advantage of their vulnerable circumstances.

The labourers were allegedly paid less than three euros an hour while working between ten and twelve hours a day, six days a week. Monthly wages reportedly ranged from 1,200 to 1,500 euros, from which workers were required to deduct almost 900 euros to cover accommodation and food costs.

Investigators further allege that many labourers had paid intermediaries in India sums of up to 5,000 euros in order to secure employment in Italy. Once in the country, they allegedly signed documents they could not read and were subjected to insults, intimidation, physical violence and threats.

According to information emerging from intercepted conversations, prosecutors believe Demir discussed plans to leave Italy shortly after the judicial inspection of the site.

In one recorded exchange cited by investigators, an unidentified interlocutor, believed to be a superior, reportedly suggested that "if you come on holiday it would be better". When Demir allegedly asked whether problems might arise afterwards, the caller replied that leaving under those circumstances could be "less problematic".

Authorities say Demir purchased a plane ticket the following day before being intercepted at the airport and transferred to prison custody.

The investigation continues as prosecutors examine the role of company management and the wider recruitment network involved in bringing workers from India to the Milan construction site.

PS