Italy Grants Permits to 40,000 Non-EU Seasonal Workers for Agricultural and Tourism Sectors

Italy has recently enacted legislation to allocate permits to 40,000 non-EU seasonal workers, specifically for the agricultural and tourism sectors. This development has been welcomed by Coldiretti, the Italian farmers' association.

Approval for Additional Workers

The Italian government has given the green light for the employment of an additional 40,000 non-EU seasonal workers in the country's agricultural and tourism sectors, as reported by Coldiretti on August 16. The timing of this decree aligns with the commencement of the apple and grape harvest seasons.

15,000 Workers Reserved for Employers' Associations

To expedite the hiring process, the decree designates 15,000 of the 40,000 workers for employers' associations, prioritizing applications that were already submitted at the time of the decree's publication. The selection of seasonal workers will be based on requests filed with local immigration offices.

Foreign Workers Play a Vital Role

According to Coldiretti, foreign workers constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in Italy. Although individuals from various nationalities contribute, the majority of foreign agricultural workers come from Romania, Morocco, India, and Albania.

 Research conducted by the IDOS research center reveals that one out of every four agricultural products in Italy is harvested by foreign workers, totaling 358,000 regular workers from 164 different countries.

 They play a crucial role in the fields and barns, contributing to over 30% of the total workdays required by the sector.

Predominantly Short-Term Contracts

Most farmworkers are employed on short-term contracts. They are stationed in regions such as Verona, Friuli, Trentino, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, and Lombardy, where they assist in harvesting and producing various crops including strawberries, vine shoots, apples, grapes, and dairy products.

The new legislation granting permits to 40,000 non-EU seasonal workers in Italy's agricultural and tourism sectors is expected to address labor shortages and support the country's vital industries.

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