Rosarno in Calabria, in middle of the mafia-controlled part of Italy, is an agricultural community of 15,000 people. It is one of the places where undocumented workers queue each morning for jobs on the Italian orange and olive groves and in the juice and candied peel factories that supply northern Europe. About 5,000 of them live in the Rosarno area alone.

Exploited. Underpaid. Lodged in filthy shacks. Beaten to death if they complain. The shortend version of the report of undercover journalsit Fabrizio Gatti in hell amidst the foreign laborers in the province of Foggia (Italy)

The very strict way of enforcing the law is typical for the richer countries in the middle and north of Europe like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden. In southern countries like Spain and Italy it's somewhat different. The laws are simiular but the authorities turn a blind eye to unlawful practises more often.

UK Border Agency (UKBA) will ‘name and shame’ bosses who employ illegal immigrants as part of of tough new measures announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced today.

France: The Café La Jatte is in many ways a typical Parisian eatery. It has a menu full of culinary promise, a sumptuous wine list and a handful of illegal African immigrants working in the kitchen.

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) did a study to investigate the situation of foreign workers in Ireland. It has reviewed recruitment, diversity of work, remuneration, working hours, privacy and employment rights. In addition, they also focused on experiences of discrimination. The results of the study should prevent other workers also facing the same problems. At many points the situations are similar to other European countries. Below you will find a brief excerpt of the study.

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland(MRCI)investigated the abuse of foreign workers by employers in Ireland. The investigation shows that they are exploited and treated inferior. 

New rules introduced in January mean immigrants with the right to live and work in Sweden are being barred from receiving Swedish ID cards. A Swedish ID is required to exercise many daily activities in Swedish society, including collecting packages from the post office, opening a bank account, seeing a doctor, or even hiring a DVD and buying alcohol or cigarettes.

They live in conditions unfit for human beings. A few days ago, dozens of inhabitants of the town of Ghetto, between Foggia and Rignano, have fallen sick with gastroenteritis since the water supply they use is filthy.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith recently announced tough new measures to "stamp out illegal working" with fines of up to "£10000 for each illegal worker", just days after it was discovered that illegal immigrants were working in Government offices as security guards.