In Calabria, Italy, the oranges ripen when it is darkest in Sweden. Major juice producers often source their oranges from this region.
Most of the orange pickers in Calabria come from Africa. One of them is Seydou from Mali, who, like many other migrants, has made it to Europe via the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.
– I have been harvesting oranges for three weeks. We are daily wage earners without a contract. You only get paid for what you pick in a day, says Seydou.
Can’t get housing
Many orange pickers in Calabria work without a minimum wage, employment contract or insurance – even though it is illegal. Many migrants lack the necessary documents and are therefore unable to obtain regular housing. They are forced to live in makeshift sheds made of plastic tarpaulins.
– Many do not have electricity and running water – so we have to ask if we can top up water at someone’s place. I wouldn’t have chosen this myself, says Seydou.
Over a million migrants work in slave-like conditions on Europe’s farms, according to Inside Document: Europe’s Exploited Fruit Pickers.
See Document from the outside: Europe’s exploited fruit pickers at SVT Play or on SVT2 at 22.00 on Sunday 29/9.