A major construction project for a new U.S. Consulate in Milan has come under scrutiny after foreign workers alleged they were paid less than $2 an hour despite promises of fair wages.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Italian prosecutors are investigating Alabama-based Caddell Construction, a leading contractor on U.S. diplomatic projects. Two company managers in Italy were recently arrested on suspicion of labour exploitation.
Workers from India and Kenya told investigators they worked 10-hour days, six days a week, with deductions for room and board leaving some with as little as €500 a month. The probe reportedly involves around 70 workers.
Caddell Construction and the U.S. State Department say they are reviewing the allegations and cooperating with authorities.
The case has cast a shadow over the $350 million consulate project and raised fresh concerns about labour conditions on high-profile international developments, AP reported.
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