The 2013 orange picking season in Rosarno is much quieter than it was in 2012. The tent camp was moved during the summer months due to corruption allegations of the NGO who managed the camp. Much less people are staying in the new tent camp, probably about 500 (compared to about 2000 last year) as only very little work is available this year. Oranges are rotting everywhere as large traders are pushing the prices down to a level where farmers would make a loss if they sell.
In order to survive, a vibrant parallel economy has developed in the camp. Different small shops, restaurants, butcher shops, bicycle repair shop etc…R. is one of the only three women in the camp. She has set up a small shop in her tent that she is sharing with 4 other men.
The new tent camp has no electricity although all facilities were present. The generator was stolen by a group of Italians a few months ago and no one has replaced it. A man froze to death a couple of weeks ago.
Bitter Oranges - African migrant workers in Calabria 