The production of quintessentially Italian cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano,[1] Grana Padano,[2] and mozzarella,[3] depends significantly on immigrant labour. Starting in the 1990s, Indians have come to dominate the labour force of the Italian dairy industry in a surprising niche market.[4]
Statistics show that most Indians in Italy tend to settle in the north of the country and work in agriculture.[5][6] The Po Valley is similar in climate to the Punjab, where most of these Sikh workers are from.[7] Their first jobs tend to be directly with the cows and buffalos, as many come from farming families, but some move on to become cheesemakers, which is better paying.[8]
it:Coldiretti, which Politico Europe describes as Italy's most important farming union,[9] and civic authorities in the region acknowledge that the immigrants are indispensable for agriculture in general and the dairy industry in particular.[10] The dairy workers themselves (bergamini) tend to belong to the Italian General Confederation of Labour.[11]
