The first phase of Italy’s labour recruitment drive under its 2026–2028 three-year programme has recently concluded, yet concerns are mounting over systemic inefficiencies in the process. Under this scheme, the government plans to admit approximately 500,000 foreign workers across multiple sectors. The initial stage, commonly referred to as “Click Day”, saw applications close on Wednesday, 18 February, against a quota of 164,850 positions.
However, this year’s application process has proven notably more restrictive and technically demanding than in previous cycles. Stricter eligibility criteria, coupled with a complex digital submission system, have led to a comparatively lower number of applicants. Members of the Bangladeshi diaspora and migration experts suggest that those who successfully navigated the process in compliance with all requirements may now stand a higher chance of securing visas.
Despite this relative optimism, a more troubling trend has emerged. Administrative bottlenecks and technical failures associated with the Click Day system are reportedly pushing many foreign workers into irregular or undocumented status. This issue was highlighted in a recent annual report presented to the Italian Senate, underscoring structural flaws in the country’s migration management framework.
Italy operates a quota-based immigration system designed to regulate the inflow of non-EU workers through sponsored visas. While annual quotas are set with the intention of meeting labour market demands and curbing illegal migration, the actual rate of final approvals remains strikingly low. Bureaucratic delays, procedural complexity, and digital system inefficiencies have all been cited as contributing factors.
A report by the research organisation Ero Straniero reveals a stark discrepancy between allocated quotas and successful approvals in recent years:
| Year | Allocated Quota | Approved Permits | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 146,850 | 24,858 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 181,450 | 14,349 | 7.9% |
The data indicate that although the quota increased significantly in 2025, the proportion of applicants granted legal residence declined sharply. This mismatch suggests that expanding quotas alone is insufficient without corresponding improvements in administrative capacity and processing efficiency.
The Click Day mechanism itself has come under scrutiny. Designed as a rapid online submission system, it requires applicants or their sponsors to file requests within a narrow time window. High demand, server congestion, and technical glitches frequently disadvantage many eligible candidates, effectively excluding them from the legal migration pathway.
Foreign workers in Italy play a vital role in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and domestic services, contributing substantially to the national economy. Yet, due to procedural shortcomings, many find themselves working without proper documentation, exposing them to exploitation and legal vulnerability.
In response, civil society groups, labour advocates, and expatriate communities—including Bangladeshis—are urging the Italian authorities to reform the system. Key recommendations include simplifying application procedures, improving digital infrastructure, and ensuring greater transparency in visa approvals.
Without such reforms, analysts warn that the gap between policy intent and practical outcomes will continue to widen, inadvertently fuelling the very issue—irregular migration—that the quota system seeks to control.