Kenyans Among Workers Allegedly Underpaid in KSh45.2 Billion U.S. Embassy Project in Milan

Kenyans Among Workers Allegedly Underpaid in KSh45.2 Billion U.S. Embassy Project in Milan

MILAN, Italy — A major construction project for the new United States Consulate General in Milan has come under scrutiny after Italian labour authorities and prosecutors launched investigations into allegations that hundreds of workers, including Kenyans, were underpaid and subjected to labour irregularities during the development of the facility.

The project, valued at approximately KSh45.2 billion (about €340 million), is one of the largest diplomatic construction undertakings currently underway in Italy. Authorities are examining claims that subcontracted workers were paid wages significantly below legal and contractual standards and that some companies involved failed to comply with labour and tax regulations.

Investigation Focuses on Subcontracting Chain

Italian media reports indicate that investigators are focusing on a network of subcontractors engaged in the construction of the diplomatic complex. Prosecutors are seeking to establish whether workers were deprived of proper wages, social security contributions, and other employment benefits required under Italian law.

Among the workers reportedly affected are migrants from several countries, including Kenya, who were employed through subcontracting firms operating on the project site.

Authorities have not released the exact number of Kenyan workers involved, but labour inspectors are said to be reviewing employment records, payroll documents, and contracts as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Allegations of Wage Violations

According to preliminary findings cited in local reports, some workers may have received compensation that did not meet the minimum rates established under Italy’s construction sector agreements. Investigators are also examining allegations that working hours and employment conditions were not properly documented.

The companies named in the investigations have not yet been found guilty of any wrongdoing, and the inquiries remain ongoing.

Italian labour authorities have emphasized that the purpose of the investigation is to determine whether labour laws were breached and whether workers are entitled to unpaid wages or other compensation.

U.S. Diplomatic Project

The new U.S. Consulate General in Milan is intended to replace existing diplomatic facilities and expand the United States’ diplomatic presence in northern Italy. The project includes office buildings, security infrastructure, and support facilities designed to meet modern diplomatic and security requirements.

Construction has involved multiple contractors and subcontractors, a common arrangement in large-scale infrastructure projects. However, such complex contracting structures can sometimes make oversight of labour practices more difficult, according to labour experts.

Concern for Migrant Workers

Labour rights groups in Italy have expressed concern that migrant workers are often more vulnerable to exploitation, particularly when employed through layers of subcontracting arrangements.

Advocates say workers from countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Albania, and other nations may face challenges in understanding local labour regulations or reporting abuses.

Several organizations have called for stronger monitoring of employment practices on major construction projects, especially those involving public or diplomatic facilities.

Potential Financial Recovery

Should investigators determine that underpayments occurred, affected workers could be entitled to recover unpaid wages, social security contributions, and other employment-related benefits. Italian authorities have not yet indicated the potential scale of any financial recovery.

The investigation is also examining whether tax and social security obligations were properly fulfilled by the companies involved in the project.

No Findings Yet

At this stage, no final conclusions have been reached, and no criminal convictions have been announced. Prosecutors and labour inspectors continue to gather evidence, interview workers, and review company records.

The case has attracted attention in both Italy and Kenya because of the involvement of Kenyan workers and the high-profile nature of the diplomatic construction project.

As the investigation proceeds, labour authorities say their priority is to establish the facts, protect workers’ rights, and ensure compliance with Italian employment laws on one of the country’s most prominent international construction projects.

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Kenyans Among Workers Allegedly Underpaid in KSh45.2 Billion U.S. Embassy Project in Milan