Lower thirds:  

00:02 Report by Anchal Vohra
00:42 Arben Mece / Chartered surveyor, Novalux Construction Company
01:33 Gaetano Lauro / Manager at "The Inn at the Roman Forum"
01:49 Mohamed El Sayed / Barista
02:57 Alessandra Valentini / Regional general secreatray- Agricultural union (FLAI)
03:31 Professor Domenico Lombardi / Director of the Policy Observatory of Luiss University, Rome

Script: 

As Italy ages and an unprecedented number of Italians leave the country in search of better opportunities, it is looking for people to sustain its economy... 
  
By next year, One in three businesses in Italy is set to hire workers from outside the EU-
 
But there is a dire shortage in supply of workers needed in various sectors like construction....
  
VO: Arben Mece, an employee at a local Construction Company in Rome, says his firm is in desperate need of workers... 

Young Italians, he said, are not interested in applying for the many vacant blue collar job opportunities 
 
SOT: Arben Mece: Chartered surveyor, Novalux Construction Company
 
"We are currently working on three construction sites, (Patch) There aren't enough workers to complete all projects." 

VO: So, instead of curbing immigration as the Italian government promised, it has decided to issue half a million more work permits for non EU nationals between 2025 and 2028 under a multi year policy framework called Decreto flussi... 

VO: Businesses such as these were unhappy with the push back in the Italian government against non European workers. 
 
But now hope an increase in flow of workers will allow them to restart work at sites like this – an under-construction restaurant in an upmarket locality. 

VO: Other businesses such as this luxury residence in the heart of Rome which employs nearly all foreigners, are equally pleased. 
 
SOT: Gaetano Lauro - Manager at "The Inn at the Roman Forum 
"The hospitality industry is huge in this country. Only in Rome, I think (there are)1000s of properties. So everyone is always looking for new employees." 

VO: It is the same in Venice where Mohamed El Sayed lives now.

 A sea diving instructor in Egypt, he is now a barista at the city's airport. 

Mohamed was brought to Venice by a placement agency, after he was taught Italian, and feels he has an advantage over others hoping to move to Italy since he learnt the language before arriving. 
 
But that doesn't save him from "weird looks" 
 
SOT:  Mohamed El Sayed, Barista, (ENG)
"People is liek giving me this weird look- Is it because of my skin color or because of my religion or whatever? I'm just showing them that I'm just a human being. ."
  
VO:But he has been brought in in addition to 500,000 workers to be recruited under Decreto Flussi. 

The placement agency that has brought him to Italy says the government has offered additional tools to meet the needs of businesses. 

Some say Decreto Flussi is the way forward – to provide businesses with the workers they need whilst also offering legal ways for workers to enter the country. 
 
But does it help the government in reducing irregular immigration?
 
VO: Not in the agricultural sector, says Alessandra Valentini, regional general secretary of a major agricultural union....

SOT- Alessandra Valentini, regional general secreatray- Agricultural union (FLAI)) 

"Many workers who are here and have become irregular arrivedthrough Decreto Flussi, which allowed them to enter Italy legally with a promise of work but which then didnt turn into an official work contract." 

VO: Irregular workers cost less, she added. 

Experts say complaince is an issue. 
 
SOT*** Professor Domenico Lombardi - Director of the Policy Observatory of Luiss University, Rome (Eng): 
 
"There should be more regular checks so that, you know, if someone is brought to the country, with, sort of the promise of a job, this person actually gets the job." 

VO: The effectiveness of government policy is still under question and some argue that those already in the country should be regularized  first. 
  
VO: But there is no disagreement that whatever the dominant political narrative, Italy needs more working age immigrants, now. 
 
ENDS.