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Expelled from Italy after an accident at work: the case of Bechir Rahiem
According to data, accidents at work have decreased than 4 years ago (-6,5% in 2006), but they could hit some workers very hardly. It’s the case of Bechir Rahiem who has fallen off a not firm scaffolding during work and now he has been expelled from Italy.
Bechir Rahiem is Tunisian, is 56 years old and he lives in Italy since 2 years. In July he has been victim of an accident during his illegal work in the construction site of the military area of Bologna’s airport. (For this work he earns 7 euros/hour working 10/12 hours at week). He has been hoisted into air from a fork lift, without following the security laws, and placed on a not firm scaffolding which overturned. So Bechir fell down and he has been perforated from the iron of the scaffolding.
After being recovered in hospital, when he woke up he realized that he has been registered with a different name. The name was that of the brother of another worker, because Bechir haven’t the permit of stay. When he gives his name, he signs his condemn. In fact with the permit of stay obtained with his denounce, valid until 30 November of 2007, the man can’t obtain a regular assumption of work. So he can’t pay the rental and he would be expel from Italy.If he hadn’t given his name, he would have continued his (illegal) work, but he would have earned something.
Bechir’s advocate has requested a special permit of stay which, according to the article n.18 for immigrants, authorized foreigners which are victims of exploitation to denounce their exploiters and to remain in Italy. In the same time the article allows also foreigners to be introduce in a special training plan of assistance and social integration. The application of the law would be a good example to help victims of exploitations and to integrate them legally in society. In fact too often the weakest links in a chain are the only and unique to pay in case of illegality and that’s not good in a civil society.
