A group of Bangladeshi migrants who were abused by their employers while picking strawberries in Manolada have seen the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rule in their favour.
The case dates back to 2013, when 42 fruit pickers were shot at after requesting they be paid their wages.
Despite not having work permits, they were recruited and promised €22 (AU$31.05) for each seven-hour shift, plus €3 (AU$4.25) per hour overtime.
The reality proved to be 12-hour shifts, seven days a week while supervised by armed guards, forced to live in makeshift shacks without access to running water or toilet facilities.
Fedup with their employers withholding their pay, the workers protested. An armed guard then started shooting at them, leaving at least 30 seriously injured.
The landmark ruling was made last Thursday, with the court ordering the Greek state to pay €16,000 (AU$22,574) damages to each Bangladeshi worker involved in the proceedings with an additional €4,363 (AU$6,155) to applicants for expenses.
“The court found, firstly, that the applicants’ situation was one of human trafficking and forced labour, and specified that exploitation through labour was one aspect of trafficking in human beings,” the ECHR said in a statement.
“The court then held that the state had failed in its obligations to prevent the situation of human trafficking, to protect the victims, to conduct an effective investigation into the offences committed, and to punish those responsible for the trafficking.”