29 Oct Mamadou Kouassi: Migrant Workers in the Fight for Human Rights
Mamadou Kouassi: Migrant Workers in the Fight for Human Rights
by Irene Palla
Are migrant workers fighting for human rights—rights that ultimately affect us all? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Yet, their voices, struggles, and triumphs often remain unheard, relegated to the margins of mainstream media. These individuals are not merely part of Europe’s workforce; they are architects shaping the future of labour rights, economic progress, and the dignity of life on the continent.
One such story of resilience and advocacy unfolds in Mamadou Kouassi Pli Adama: The Struggle of Migration, a compelling short documentary directed by Andrea Fantino. Set to screen at the Rosarno Film Festival on November 25 as part of the FUORI DAL GHETTO program, the film intimately chronicles the life of Mamadou Kouassi, an Ivorian migrant whose path mirrors the resilience of countless others who have journeyed across continents to forge new lives in Europe.
Produced by FIERI (the International and European Forum of Migration Research) in collaboration with Zaratan, the film is part of two European Union-funded projects, Trafig and DignityFIRM. These projects tackle fundamental challenges facing migrant workers, aiming to secure their basic rights and foster sustainable improvements in their living and working conditions across Europe.
A Journey of Grit and Advocacy
Mamadou Kouassi Pli Adama: The Struggle of Migration offers an unflinching view into Mamadou Kouassi’s journey—a passage that took him across the desert, through the tumultuous landscape of Libya, over the Mediterranean, and ultimately into the orange fields of Rosarno, Italy. There, Kouassi endured the intense physical labour and exploitation that define the experience of so many migrant workers. He also witnessed the infamous 2010 clashes, a pivotal moment that underscored the systemic injustices faced by migrant labourers and ignited broader awareness of their plight.
Undeterred, Kouassi became a determined advocate for migrant rights. From participating in political movements to leading the Migrants and Refugees Movement in Caserta, he transformed his personal struggle into a mission for justice and dignity. His role in the film Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone further amplified his message, drawing national and international attention to the necessity of fair treatment and inclusion for migrants.
Illuminating Systemic Injustice
The FUORI DAL GHETTO program at this year’s Rosarno Film Festival highlights themes of free movement and the fight against the exploitation of migrant workers across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Kouassi’s documentary embodies these principles, approaching them from a uniquely personal and political perspective. The film offers a rare, unvarnished portrayal of migrant workers’ lives, often stripped of humanity in mainstream narratives, and emphasizes the need to view them not as mere economic cogs but as individuals with rights and dignity.
Through Kouassi’s lens, we see the broader struggle for respect and equity for those who contribute significantly to Europe’s economy yet remain on its periphery. This struggle forms the foundation of the DignityFIRM project, which is committed to improving migrant labourers’ conditions and dismantling cycles of exploitation. Both the documentary and DignityFIRM underscore the message that justice, equity, and opportunity are cornerstones of a just society.
A New Narrative of Resilience
Kouassi’s story, as depicted in this documentary, reveals the powerful impact migrant workers have in shaping the future of Europe. Too often overlooked or silenced, these workers’ contributions are interwoven with the social and economic fabric of European life. They are not merely workers; they are advocates, leaders, and symbols of resilience and hope.
By sharing Kouassi’s journey, The Struggle of Migration gives voice to those too often denied. It invites audiences to consider the significance of migrant and labour rights, the essential nature of human dignity, and the urgent need to challenge and transform exploitative practices within our borders and agriculture.
As this documentary shines a light on migrant stories, it calls for a shift in how we view these essential contributors to society. Recognizing migrant workers as active participants in the pursuit of a fair and inclusive Europe is not just a matter of sustainability, it’s a path toward a more justice future for all.