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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday commemorated the death of an Indian farm worker, who succumbed to his injuries in Rome after he was allegedly dumped by his employer on the road following a severe injury.

The 31-year-old worker, identified as Satnam Singh, was dumped on the road without medical assistance by his employer after his arm was severed by heavy farm machinery. The incident sparked massive protests in Italy, with people demanding strict action against the accused.

Reacting to the incident, Giorgia Meloni brought up the issue in the Italian Parliament and paid homage to Singh. While addressing the House, Meloni said that Singh was a victim of “horrible and inhuman acts” with a “disgusting attitude” from his employer.

She also vowed strict punishment against those found guilty. After Meloni’s condolences, the entire Italian Cabinet stood up to pay tribute to the Indian worker.

According to reports, Singh was injured by heavy machinery while working in a vegetable field in Lazio, near Rome, on Monday. He died at a hospital in Rome after being airlifted there when he was eventually found. Doctors said that the victim died as he lost so much blood that he couldn’t recover from his injuries.

According to the Embassy of India in Rome, Singh hailed from Punjab.

Singh’s employer, Antonello Lovato, loaded him and his wife into a van and left them by the side of the road near their home. Antonello Lovato has been charged with negligent manslaughter.

Singh’s widow Soni, who was treated for shock after the incident, received a special ‘justice’ stay permit to end her illegal status in Italy, Ansa news agency reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, thousands of Indian farm labourers protested in Italy on Tuesday (June 25), seeking an end to “slavery” after Singh’s death, news agency AFP reported.

“He was thrown out like a dog. There is exploitation every day, we suffer it every day, it must end now,” Gurmukh Singh, head of the Indian community in the Lazio region of central Italy, was quoted by AFP as saying. “We come here to work, not to die,” he added.