Illegal labor intermediation and undeclared work in Langhe: solution deprive Docg use for Barolo & Barbaresco for those who do not comply!

Illegal labor intermediation and undeclared work in the Langhe: a 40 million euro business

The estimate in a file by Altraeconomia covers the period between 2023 and 2024. The consortium defends: "Incomplete data that do not take into account the mechanization of work."

Almost forty million euros. That is the value of illegal work in the Piedmont vineyards of the Langhe, the cradle of important wine brands such as Barolo and Barbaresco, but also the scene of numerous cases of caporalato in recent years. The figure, which covers a two-year period, was first estimated in a dossier by the journal Altraeconomia, titled Grappoli amari, dedicated to the exploitative work of thousands of foreigners picking grapes for the production of great wines, with several cases discovered and charged by the police.

The calculation system

Luca Rondi's work is based on two recent investigations into the work system in the vineyards of the Langhe. The estimate was made possible thanks to the processing of data from the Alba labor office. The total calculation was obtained by adding the working hours required for each hectare of vineyard in the years 2023 and 2024 (4.8 and 5.5 million hours, respectively) and comparing them with the turnover of the system of regular workers. The result obtained by Altraeconomia is a two-year figure between 26.3 million euros and nearly 40 million euros. This would be the value of undeclared work in viticulture in the Langa.

The defense of the Consortium Barolo and Barbaresco

The Consortium for the Protection of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani speaks of theoretical and partial calculations that do not take into account the mechanization of agriculture, which is widespread in the area. In contrast,one of the former presidents of the protection body, Matteo Ascheri, has proposed that the use of the Docg Barolo and Barbaresco be taken away from companies that do not comply with labor laws, regardless of whether the Langhe's wineries establish agricultural work cooperatives in cooperation with the institutions. According to Ascheri, this would help control the phenomenon. Meanwhile, two regional councilors, Alice Ravinale and Giulia Marro (Alleanza Verdi Sinistra group), have announced that they will present proposals on the subject in the Piedmont region's meeting rooms.