Lo sfruttamento dei lavoratori nelle catene di appalto

The article presents the conclusions of the first phase of the research on subcontracting chains, coordinated by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The six case studies carried out showed how, in the sectors examined (agri-food, construction, transport and garment industry), subcontracting has become “the” business model, i.e. the normal strategy to be adopted to lower labour costs and increase profits, especially when participating in highly competitive global markets. The article illustrates the legal and illegal forms of labour exploitation that take place in subcontracting chains, and the division of the workers’ community and the consequent difficulties in organising collective action that the fragmentation of the production cycle implies.