Refugee Affairs Correspondent – Italy
General Information on the Fraud
On July 10, 2024, Italy’s Direzione Investigativa Antimafia (DIA) revealed a massive fraud within the country’s immigration system. Arrest warrants were issued for 54 individuals involved in a scheme that exploited the Decreto Flussi initiative, an annual decree aimed at regulating the entry of non-EU workers to address labor shortages in sectors like agriculture, construction, and domestic work. The scheme involved creating fake job opportunities to fraudulently hire 2,500 immigrants, compromising the integrity of the system and extorting vulnerable migrants.
Project Description
The Decreto Flussi initiative, launched in 2020, allows non-EU workers to apply online for work permits during designated “Click Days.” This first-come, first-served system was designed to fill labor shortages in Italy. However, investigations uncovered a network of business owners, lawyers, and organized crime groups manipulating the system by posting falsified job vacancies. Desperate migrants paid over €2,000 each to secure permits, resulting in a total of €6 million seized during the operation.
Italian Government’s Response
Following the detection of this crime, law enforcement took swift action. Thirteen individuals are in prison custody, 24 are under house arrest, and 10 face a 12-month ban on business and professional activities. Additionally, seven suspects have fled, potentially to North Africa, where they have logistical bases.
Impact on Immigration and Asylum
The fraudulent scheme severely undermines the Decreto Flussi initiative, which aims to provide genuine opportunities for migrants and address labor shortages. Such exploitation not only harms migrants but also damages the host country’s labor market. This scandal underscores the vulnerabilities within the immigration system and the need for robust measures to protect migrants and uphold lawful, fair, and humane immigration practices.
