Some 1 million off-the-books self-employed are threatening almost 710,000 firms in Italy, self-employed tradesmen's group Confartigianato said Friday.
They are exposing the businesses to unfair and illegal competition, it said.
Overall, in Italy, some 3.2 million workers are working off the books.
They account for 11.3% of GDP, or 202.9 billion euros, Confartigianato said.
The association called these 'black' workers "dangerous ghosts".
Confartigianato President Marco Granelli urged "zero tolerance" of the phenomenon.
The group launched a campaign Friday titled 'Watch Out For the Crafty! Only Put Yourselves In Good Hands'.
photo: Granelli
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