Italy's right-wing government unveils new work permit plan to address labor shortages | Africanews

Italy's Right-Wing Government Proposes New Work Permit Plan

Italy's government has revealed a strategy to issue 500,000 work permits for non-EU workers between 2026 and 2028 to tackle labor shortages. The move responds to a decline in interest among young Italians for blue-collar jobs.

Labor Shortages Impacting Various Sectors

Many businesses, including luxury residences in Rome, expect the new permits will help them restore full operations. Arben Mece, a chartered surveyor at Novalux Construction Company, said:

We are currently working on three construction sites. There aren’t enough workers to complete all projects.

Italy faces a risk to its economy due to an aging population and an increasing number of citizens working abroad. Estimates suggest that one in three Italian companies intends to recruit non-EU workers to fill vacant roles in the upcoming year.

Hospitality Industry’s Demand for Workers

Gaetano Lauro, a manager at The Inn at the Roman Forum, pointed out the high demand in Rome's hospitality sector:

There are thousands of properties here, and everyone is always looking for new employees.

Challenges in Managing Irregular Immigration

Despite the new permit plan, concerns remain about the Decreto Flussi’s capability to control irregular immigration, especially in agriculture, where undocumented workers often accept lower wages.

Author’s Summary

The Italian government’s plan to issue half a million work permits aims to ease labor shortages, but challenges around irregular immigration and sector-specific demands persist.

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Africanews Africanews — 2025-11-03

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