Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Milan Consulate Workers Sign Deals in €31 Million Settlement
Workers who helped build a new U.S. consulate in Milan have started signing agreements to receive money.
Most of the workers are from India.
Prosecutors say they were paid very little, worked long hours and had money taken from their pay for housing.
They also allege that workers were threatened and did not always get proper care after injuries.
Caddell Construction agreed to a €31 million settlement, but says the agreement is not an admission that it was legally responsible.
Workers are expected to receive an average of about €45,000, and some may receive more.
Nearly 480 workers may qualify for payments.
The agreement also gives workers permission to work in Italy away from the Caddell project.
The investigation is still open.
More than 60 workers, mostly from India, signed compensation agreements on Wednesday; 115 had signed over two days.
The agreements distribute compensation from a €31 million settlement with Alabama-based Caddell Construction over alleged labor abuses.
Nearly 480 workers may qualify for payouts, with individual payments averaging €45,000 and the largest nearing €90,000.
Prosecutors allege workers faced very low wages, unpaid overtime, housing deductions, threats and inadequate medical care.
The settlement also includes about €11.2 million for Italian social security and workplace-injury systems; the investigation remains open.
- Who
- Foreign workers, mostly from India, who worked on the Milan consulate project, and Caddell Construction.
- What
- Workers are signing agreements for compensation from a €31 million settlement over alleged labor abuses.
- When
- Signings began Tuesday; more than 60 workers signed on Wednesday, and 115 had signed over two days.
- Where
- At a hotel in Milan, Italy; the workers were employed on the new U.S. consulate construction project.
- Why
- The settlement addresses allegations including low wages, unpaid overtime, housing deductions, threats and inadequate medical care.
Prosecutors and workers
Caddell Construction
Alleged labor abuses and responsibility
Prosecutors and workers
Prosecutors allege workers were underpaid, denied overtime, charged for housing, threatened and not given proper medical care when injured.
Caddell Construction
Caddell's settlement document says the agreement is not an admission of liability. The company has said it is cooperating with Italian authorities and reviewing subcontractors and consultancies for labor-law compliance.
Settlement terms
Prosecutors and workers
Workers are signing agreements to receive compensation, and the settlement also provides work permits allowing them to work away from the project.
Caddell Construction
Workers agree not to disparage Caddell or disclose their individual payment amounts.
- Settlement
- €31 million
- Potential recipients
- Nearly 480 workers
- Workers who signed
- 115 over two days
- Average individual payout
- About €45,000
- Largest reported payout
- Nearly €90,000
- Social security and injury insurance allocation
- About €11.2 million
- Payment timing
- Individual payments are due within 30 days of signing; prosecutors expect payouts to be completed by February.
- Work permits
- The agreement allows workers to work in Italy away from the Caddell project.
