Kenyans are among several foreign workers who have raised allegations of underpayment and labour exploitation in the construction of a Ksh45.2 billion ($350 million) United States consulate project in Milan, Italy.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The claims stem from an Associated Press investigation, which found that some workers on the project were allegedly paid as little as Ksh232 (€1.55) per hour despite being promised significantly higher salaries under formal employment contracts.

The project is being undertaken by U.S.-based Caddell Construction, which is now at the centre of a labour exploitation probe by Italian prosecutors.

Two of its managers have reportedly been arrested as investigations into the matter intensify.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the report, the probe involves around 70 workers, most of them from India and several from Kenya, who were employed in various technical roles at the construction site.

Workers interviewed by the AP allege that they were initially promised annual salaries exceeding Ksh3.73 million (€25,000), but in practice received far less than what was agreed.

Some of the Kenyan workers said their monthly pay dropped to about Sh74,725 (€500) after deductions, including housing and food costs, were applied.

In other cases, workers reported earning around Ksh343,735 (€2,300) per month on paper, but still claimed they did not receive the full amounts due to additional deductions and unclear payment structures.

The allegations have also raised concerns over working conditions, with workers claiming they were required to work up to 10-hour days, six days a week, under strict supervision on the high-security diplomatic project.

Some of the affected workers said they faced threats of dismissal or deportation when they questioned the pay discrepancies or sought clarification from site supervisors and human resources officials.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke