The Italian government has set up a task force after two days of rioting by African immigrants following a shooting incident in the Calabrian town of Rosarno, ANSA reported Saturday.
The Interior Ministry said the task force "will address not only policing but also the exploitation of immigrants and improving their living conditions."
Hundreds of farm laborers wrecked cars and shop fronts and torched litter in Rosarno on Thursday night while 200 put up road blocks Friday morning before 2,000 marched through the town demanding a meeting with government officials.
Fourteen immigrants and 18 police were injured in the riots.
The Rosarno riot was Italy's worst case of racial unrest since hundreds of immigrants rioted near Naples in September 2008 after the Camorra mafia killed eight North Africans.
Silvio Berlusconi's center-right government has moved strongly to stem immigration from north Africa.
Under a recent accord with Tripoli, criticized by human rights groups, immigrants are turned back in the open seas before they reach Italian waters.
ROME, January 9 (RIA Novosti)