Making "the Invisible” visible Labour exploitation and mobility trajectories - a study on Sub-Saharan African migrants in the Italian agricultural sector

Abstract

Many African migrants travel to Europe in search for a better life, however, end up living in ghetto’s and being exploited in their labour. This makes migrants to keep traveling around to seek for better opportunities. However, what aspirations are behind a discission to move or to stay, and how these mobility trajectories look like is still unknown. This study is focusing on Sub-Saharan African migrants working in the Italian agricultural industry. A case study was done in the Southern Italian province of Foggia and a qualitative research design was used. Investigation took place in a period of three months whereby participant observations, 15 participant interviews and 7 expert interviews helped to answered the research question “How do Sub-Saharan African migrants working in the Italian agricultural sector organize their livelihoods and how does this influence their (im)mobility trajectories?”. Outcomes reveal that migrants in Italy are stuck in a vicious circle. The most important aspects in ones livelihood are having a residence permit and a stable job, followed by adequate housing. However, for one of these, the other is needed. Circumstances of exploitation have decreased over time, but migrants still seek better life elsewhere. Migrants travel through Italy or Europe in search for a better opportunities. Thus, the conclusion can be drawn that migrants mobility trajectories are considered as a continues journey rather than a fixed one. Knowing migrants trajectories and their aspirations behind them can contribute in better migration policies for the whole of Europe.