How Migrant Workers in Milan Can Legally Report Workplace Abuse in 2026

The migrant workers are a critical component of the labor force in Milan and at the same time one of the most vulnerable to instances of abuse at work such as unpaid salaries and poor working conditions or unacceptable contracts. The Italian legislation and the labour protection regulations in the European Union provide migrant workers, including those who are not fully registered, with a number of legal avenues to address the forms of abuse and claim their justice.

It is here where the direction of how migrant workers in Milan can report employment violations in Milan in a lawful manner.

1. Notice the Labour Inspectorate about the Abuse

The initial and the most frequent is the complaint submission to the Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro (National Labour Inspectorate).

The workers can report problems which include:

• Unpaid wages
• Working without a contract
• None of the social security registration.
• Denial of leave or sick pay
• Poor working environments.

Complaints can be filed:

• On-site at the local office of labour inspectorate.
• Through the government labour services portal on the internet.
• By means of a trade union or worker assistance office.

Once a complaint has been received, the inspectors are able to investigate the employer and order conduct of workplace inspections and demand payment of monies which the employer has failed to pay or pay contributions.

2. Get Assistance from Trade Unions or Worker Support Offices

Legal assistance is often made to migrant workers on the basis of:

• Trade unions
• Worker advocacy groups
• Social aid offices referred to as patronati.

Workers are assisted by these organizations:

• File official complaints
• Collect evidence of abuse
• Entry legal counsel.

Policies about the EU and Italy also encourage NGOs and unions to defend migrant workers as a number of them are unwilling to complain about the mistreatment in an outright manner due to the fear of any reprisal.

3. Use Channels of Whistleblower Protection

According to the Legislative Decree No. 24/2023, all employees have an opportunity to report the wrongdoing in the workplace by the use of confidential whistleblower systems.

Significant safeguards are:

• Protection of confidentiality of identity.
• Insurance against retaliation.
• Reporting to the internal company or the external authorities.

In the case when the employer is unable to resolve the problem within the organization, the workers can direct the complaint to the national oversight bodies.

4. Filing Criminal Complaint against Severe Exploitation

In severe instances, forced labour, threats, or low wage as in extreme cases the worker has the option of engaging the police or prosecutor, through criminal complaint.

The Italian law enables the migrant victims who are victims of gross labour exploitation to seek a special residence permit in case they cooperate with the legal investigations against the employer. 

This permit can:

• Safeguard the victims against deportation.
• Legally permit them to remain in Italy in the course of investigation.
• Make availability of social support services.

5. Practice Protection Residence Permit

Migrants that are victims of violence, trafficking, or even egregious labour exploitation are entitled to a temporary residence permit to protect them under Article 18 of the Italian Immigration Law.

This permit:

• Typically six months in the beginning.
• Renewable when the individual is under the protection schemes or criminals in court.
• The family members in Italy are also covered by May.

Notably, the application of this protection will also put on hold penalties relating to immigration.

Why So Many Cases Remain Unreported?

In spite of these legal safeguards, a number of migrant workers are unwilling to report abuse due to:

• Fear of losing their job
• Fear of deportation
• Absence of knowledge on their rights.

Research indicates that most of the time exploited workers resort to the services of lawyers or civil societies as opposed to going straight to authorities.

That is why community organizations and the services of legal aid are so significant in assisting the migrant workers to find justice.

The Bottom Line

As of 2026, migrant workers in Milan can use various avenues in law to report on labour abuse the labour inspectorate complaints or other available avenues include whistleblower protection and special residence permits of victims of exploitation.

Although it still seems not perfectly safe when it comes to reporting, the laws in Italy and EU are currently getting geared towards offering protection to migrant workers and holding the abusive employers of these migrants to justice.

The knowledge of these legal avenues is usually the initial step of halting exploitations and attaining equitable treatment in the workplace.

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