(ANSA) - Florence, September 29 - Finance police on Monday cited seven Chinese citizens after exposing an illegal operation of seven fur workshops with dormitories for workers hidden behind drywall.
The operation uncovered 31 illegal workers, and the owners cited by police will face 143,000 euros in administrative sanctions.
Labor inspectors have suspended the companies' business operations.
Two illegal warehouses covering 1,700 square metres housed workshops, dormitories and cooking areas. Finance police said sleeping quarters were connected to work areas by small openings carved into the drywall, which were kept hidden by pieces of cardboard covering them.
Firefighters removed 11 propane tanks that were being used for cooking meals in makeshift kitchens.
Illegal factory-dormitories uncovered near Florence
Seven cited in illegal fur workshop operation