Migrant farm workers in Campania endure record heat with no refuge from sweltering conditions

Farm workers in southern Italy are wilting under extreme heat with little protection as a severe heatwave grips Europe. From sun-scorched fields to corrugated iron shanty towns, migrant labourers in the region face relentless temperatures with minimal shelter or cooling facilities. The conditions mirror those documented in Puglia, where workers labour in similar informal settlements without adequate water, shade or climate control. Campania's agricultural zones—particularly around the San Marzano tomato fields and mozzarella production areas—rely heavily on migrant labour during the summer harvest season, when heat stress becomes a survival issue rather than a workplace inconvenience.

The heatwave has already triggered power cuts across Italy as electricity demand surges, and grid operators have warned of further disruption as temperatures continue to rise. According to The Local Italy, Italian cities face additional blackouts as the heat reaches its peak. For workers in informal labour camps, blackouts mean the loss of any mechanical ventilation or refrigeration they might have access to. The Guardian reported that France recorded its hottest day on record this week, with 40 deaths attributed to the heat, and temperatures across Europe have climbed to dangerous levels. Italy remains under red weather alerts, with southern regions like Campania particularly exposed to the intensity of the heatwave.