Italy is set to recruit nearly half a million workers from non-EU countries over the next three years to address critical labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, construction, transport, and manufacturing. The Italian government’s approved annual plan for the 2026–2028 period, known as the Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree), aims to create a legal and structured pathway for regular migration while filling vital gaps in the domestic labour market.
According to the decree, a total of 497,550 work permits will be issued during this three-year window, averaging approximately 164,850 permits per year. Priority will be given to citizens of countries that have migration cooperation agreements with Italy, including India, Morocco, Senegal, and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the decree includes provisions for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and start-up founders, alongside quotas for refugees and stateless individuals. Interestingly, irregular migrants already residing in Italy may also apply for legalisation under specific criteria.
The recruitment is divided into seasonal and non-seasonal categories. Seasonal workers are predominantly hired for the agriculture and tourism industries for temporary durations. In contrast, non-seasonal sectors such as logistics, mechanical engineering, and construction offer longer-term employment opportunities. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has lauded this initiative as a “life-saving policy” that promotes safe and orderly migration, discouraging dangerous illegal crossings.
Despite the positive outlook, experts have raised concerns regarding the rising risk of exploitation and fraud. Reports have dubbed 2024 as the “year of scams,” with numerous migrant hopefuls losing significant sums of money to fraudulent agents promising visas and contracts. Under the new system, employers must prepare applications between October and December for submission on specific ‘Click-Days’. Applications lacking proof of adequate wages, proper accommodation, or valid documentation will be summarily rejected. Prospective candidates are urged to remain vigilant and rely solely on official diplomatic and legal channels.
GLIVE/TSN