Italian financial police have raided 19 companies working for shipbuilding giant Fincantieri in a corruption probe.
Officers are investigating suspected fraud and worker corruption, the Venice prosecutor's office said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
It added that 34 people were under investigation for alleged “systematic exploitation” of foreign workers, mainly from Bangladesh and Albania, in a shipyard in Marghera, near Venice, which is working on orders for Fincantieri.
The raids involved 19 companies in seven regions, as well as 12 Fincantieri managers, the statement said.
It did not specify whether the executives were under investigation.
Fincantieri said in a statement: "With reference to the operation ordered by the Venice public prosecutor, involving also Fincantieri personnel investigated by the financial police, Fincantieri strongly denies any involvement in the facts under investigation.
"Fincantieri is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities and is hopeful that the investigations will demonstrate that its employees are not involved in the allegations."
It added: "However, should the allegations be confirmed, Fincantieri will take immediate measures against any employees who may have committed illegal activities, harming the reputation of the company.
"Fincantieri, also in light of its listed company status, applies the highest operational and regulatory compliance standards, and consistently bases its conduct on ethical and utmost transparency principles."
