“Italy's largest circus shut over alleged exploitation of migrant workers”

…Italy's biggest circus has effectively been shut down as a judge ordered its seizure on charges of exploiting undocumented immigrant workers, a court order and police statement said on Friday.

A labour protection unit of the Carabinieri police late on Thursday seized the "Madagascar Circus" in the northern city of Turin, its equipment and 67 vehicles, imposed a movement restriction on its owner, and blocked his bank accounts.

The circus and its owner did not respond to a request for comment.

On its website, the circus says it is the largest in Italy, offering a two-hour show with around 100 animals and performances from acrobats and tightrope walkers.

Investigators accuse the company of exploiting four undocumented Indian workers, "subjecting them to humiliating and degrading working and housing conditions by taking advantage of their state of need", according to the court order.

They were forced to live in a single caravan with 10 others, given the use of only one bathroom, paid 180 euros to 250 euros ($190-$265) per week to work seven days a week for at least 10 hours a day, and denied safety equipment, the order said…