ITALY’S tax police have freed 33 Indian farm workers from “slave-like working conditions” in the northern province of Verona.

The authorities also seized almost €500,000 (around £420,000) from the two alleged gangmasters.

Police said on Saturday that the two alleged abusers, also Indian, had persuaded their fellow nationals to come to Italy, paying €17,000 (£14,300) each to obtain seasonal working permits.