Funky Tomato, the tomato that stops gangmasters and gives migrants work (photos and video)

FUNKY TOMATO –

Italy remains Europe's gateway, and often the final destination, for migrants from Africa and the Middle East. According to the latest data published last month by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees , 93 out of 100 migrants who landed in Europe in July arrived in Italy.

MIGRATION FLOWS IN ITALY –

These numbers, however, need to be explained and interpreted. It's certainly important that some areas for movement have been closed in the biblical migration map, from the Balkan corridor to the Spanish route . There's certainly a migration trend, which sees Italy, also due to its critical points in the control system, as an excellent hub for arrival and then, perhaps, onward to more stable Northern European countries , such as Germany, where employment opportunities are certainly greater.

ALSO READ: Landings in Italy: Immigrants should focus on small towns.

IMMIGRATION IN ITALY –

But can we really think that such a unanimous choice, with 93 out of 100 migrants choosing Italy, can be traced back solely to logistical issues? It can't be the only explanation . Indeed, we believe the UN data confirm what we've often said on this site : Italy has a good level of reception and integration with respect to migrant flows . This is thanks to our community spirit, to the role of volunteer associations (most of which are Catholic) that absolutely cannot be underestimated, to demographic needs—the aging population—and employment needs, the famous jobs that Italians no longer want, or didn't want, to do. But there is a good, excellent reception of migrants, first and foremost, thanks to a grassroots network made up of generous and competent mayors, concrete and culturally sound public administrators, visionaries of all kinds, the true drivers of change.

TO LEARN MORE: The mayor of Riace, a model town for good and peaceful immigration.

WHAT IS FUNKY TOMATO –

Thus, faced with the UN data, the story of the Funky Tomato came to mind : a high-quality tomato , with its associated byproducts, produced with respect for workers' rights and not exploiting immigrants through the infamous gangmaster system that envelops entire swathes of the southern Italian countryside like a toxic cloud. We are located between Basilicata, Puglia, and Campania, and Funky Tomato has become not only a brand, a network, a small community, but also a symbol of a new, authentic economy. Instead of exploiting foreigners, paying them 3,5 euros for 100 kg crates of tomatoes, as happens through gangmaster systems, the Funky Tomato producers pay them regularly with seasonal labor contracts ranging from 39 hours a week to 47 euros for the required six and a half hours . Respecting rules and ethics, as well as the call of conscience, employees from Senegal and Burkina Faso, some of the starting points of the biblical exodus of migrants, have also been hired.

( The images are taken from the Funky Tomato company Facebook page )

HOW TO SUPPORT FUNKY TOMATO –

The entire story, all the faces, all the protagonists of the Funky Tomato operation can be found on the website www.funkytomato.it. We'll just add one thing, an appeal: buy Funky Tomato- branded products . Consumers, in fact, through various forms of purchase, are the true financial supporters of this project that deserves a long, long life.

TO KNOW MORE: Sutera, the Sicilian village reborn thanks to immigrants