In this episode of Mobility, Work, and Rights, Nando Sigona speaks with Letizia Palumbo, researcher at the Univiersity of Venice Ca' Foscari and author of Taking Vulnerabilities to Labour Exploitation Seriously. The book examines how European and national legal frameworks shape migrant workers’ vulnerabilities—particularly in agriculture and domestic work and how intersecting legal, economic, and social factors create and exacerbate exploitation. With a focus on Italy and comparisons with the UK, this episode unpacks the tensions between labour migration policies and measures to combat severe exploitation. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the systemic dimensions of labour exploitation and the challenges in protecting migrant workers' rights.

Our podcast picks

- BOOK: Palumbo, L (2024) Taking Vulnerabilities to Labour Exploitation Seriously: A Critical Analysis of Legal and Policy Approaches and Instruments in Europe, Springer IMISCOE Research Series. Open Access

- BLOG: Situational Vulnerability in Supranational and Italian Legislation and Case Law on Labour Exploitation by Maria Grazia Giammarinaro and Letizia Palumbo

- REPORT: Palumbo, L, Sciurba A (2018) The vulnerability of women migrant workers in agriculture and the EU: the need for a Human Rights and Gender based approach, European Parliament Open AccessHow to cite this episode

Sigona, N, Palumbo, L (2025) “Structures of exploitation", Mobility, work and rights: the I-CLAIM podcast, S1 E6, 21 March 2025.

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