Romanians exploited in the Alentejo

Eight Romanian citizens are charged with trafficking people from their home country to work in “deplorable conditions” in olive farming in the Beja district. Several workers testified against the accused at a court in Serpa, claiming that they were being held hostage to carry out olive harvest work. They say they are victims of exploitation and abuse, and showed signs of malnourishment. The president of the Salvada parish council, Sérgio Engana, says the authorities must act to provide support for the victims.