Italy to grant residence permits to 450,000 foreign workers within three years

About 50,000 of this quota, which is planned to last until 2025, were opened at the beginning of December. A large number of workers were accepted in the fields of agriculture, construction, personal services, and tourism. 

Although this is described as a paradoxical measure for a government that promised to reduce migration, many countries in Europe are in need of foreign labor. 

It is stated that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who promised to end illegal migration, has opened the doors to labor migration "more than ever in the last decade." 

"The need is more than one million"

According to Andrea Prete, President of the Italian Chambers of Commerce, 450,000 residence permits are far below what is needed. Prete said, "The government itself admits that there is a need for 800,000 people. However, it is definitely more than a million. One out of every two job positions in Italy has not been filled." 

It is stated that due to the inadequate education system in the country, engineering jobs in the green or digital economy are in high demand.  If current trends continue, the country will lose 5 million people by 2050.

It is also pointed out that foreigners are helping to stop Italy's dramatic demographic decline. Since the war in Ukraine, inflation in Italy has further worsened real income levels. Almost one-third of employed immigrants work in low-skilled jobs.  The most foreign workers coming to Italy from outside the European Union are from Morocco, Albania, and China.

News Source: 12punto