Italy: Summer work visa created for migrant workers in Sardinia

Rome: To meet the needs of the tourism sector during the summer season and the higher manpower required, the Italian island of Sardinia has created a legal channel for entry to allow it to exceed the levels allowed by the annual “immigrant flows” decree, which govern the distribution of seasonal work visas.

A legal corridor to bring in migrants in order to meet the needs of the tourism sector during the summer season and the higher manpower required has been created for the Italian island of Sardinia.

Under this additional seasonal work corridor, Sardinia will be allowed to exceed the numbers of migrants allowed in under the “immigrant flows decree,” which the Italian government sets each year to try and govern the numbers of seasonal employment visas issued.

The initiative is for skilled workers in the hotel sector and is being promoted by NexumStp and Confcommercio Nord Sardegna.

The initiative was made possible due to cooperation and training agreements that involved local authorities, enterprises working in the hotel sector, and the relevant public authorities, with the authorization of the interior and labor ministries.

Those taking part in the project attended a training course preparing them for work in the local hotel sector. Once the training was over, done both locally and remotely, the workers received certification for their legal entry into Italy and the beginning of their work in the country.

A total of 26 workers from Morocco have finished the project and another round is about to begin with candidates from Tunisia.

“The timelines and the numerical limitations were incompatible with the needs of the tourism sector in Sardinia, which are marked by a strong seasonal aspect and the need to find qualified personnel,” said Giovanni Degortes, partner of NexumStp and head of the project.

“NexumStp along with Confcommercio Nord Sardegna has thus created a professional corridor that enables the legal entrance of foreign workers,” he added.

“This initiative represents a tangible step towards a more efficient and humane integration,” underscored Edoardo Oggianu, deputy vice president of Confcommercio Nord Sardegna.

“The Sardinian tourism sector needs professionalism and reliable timelines, especially in view of the high season.” The tourism sector is relatively long in Sardinia, as the island hosts both Italian, European and global tourists for many months of the year, due to its largely clement weather and sought-after beaches.