Italy's 2024 Immigration Decree Introduces New Regulations

The 2024 Immigration Decree has introduced a series of new provisions regarding immigration and civil rights in Italy. Published in the Official Gazette General Series No. 239 on October 11, 2024, the decree aims to improve the management of immigration in Italy by introducing new rules to protect foreign workers, particularly seasonal ones, and to combat the exploitation of migrants.

One of the key measures of the decree concerns employers who fail to comply with contractual terms with foreign workers. According to the new text, employers are required to sign residence contracts within eight days of the foreign worker's arrival in Italy. Failure to meet this deadline will result in significant penalties, including a three-year ban on submitting further requests for the entry of foreign workers.

The decree also introduces a reform in the management of migration flows through the introduction of more "click days," divided by type of workers. This innovation aims to prevent the concentration of requests on a single day, thus reducing pressure on IT systems and improving the efficiency of checks.

Another important innovation introduced by the decree is the creation of a special residence permit for victims of labor exploitation who report their exploiters. This permit will initially last six months, be renewable for a year, and can be further extended based on justice needs.

For seasonal workers, the decree introduces a "buffer" period of 60 days. During this period, foreign workers can look for new employment in Italy without having to return to their country of origin. Additionally, it will be possible to convert seasonal work contracts into fixed-term or permanent contracts.

In the tourism sector, two "click days" are planned until 2025 to address the shortage of seasonal workers. Another important point concerns home and family care. For 2025, the decree plans to introduce 10,000 visas dedicated to workers destined for caregivers and assistants for the elderly and disabled.

One of the most discussed measures of the decree concerns the use of data from migrants' mobile phones to facilitate their identification and determine geographical origin. However, access to data will be limited and authorized only for identification purposes, with a prohibition on accessing private correspondence or other forms of communication.

In conclusion, the 2024 Immigration Decree represents a further step forward in governing the complex phenomenon of immigration in Italy, introducing new measures to protect foreign workers and combat the exploitation of migrants.