Italy to recruit 166,000 foreign workers, Bangladeshis eligible

Italy will allow nearly 166,000 foreign workers to enter the country legally for employment in 2027, with Bangladeshis among nationals eligible to apply under the government’s new quota system.

According to a joint notice issued by Italy’s ministries of interior, labour and social policies, agriculture, and tourism, a total of 165,850 foreign workers will be admitted next year.

Of the total quota, 76,200 places have been allocated for non-seasonal jobs, 89,000 for seasonal employment and 650 for self-employment.

Bangladesh is among 37 countries whose nationals will be eligible for the programme. The other countries include Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea, Cape Verde, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Japan, Jordan, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Applicants will be able to complete the required online application through an Italian employer in the relevant category from October 23 to December 7 using the government-designated website.

Applications will then be submitted on four designated dates next year.

Applications for seasonal agricultural jobs will be accepted on January 12, followed by seasonal tourism applications on February 9. Non-seasonal applications can be submitted on February 16, while applications for non-seasonal domestic work will be accepted on February 18.

Kamrul Islam Regan, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Venice, advised prospective applicants to apply through a legitimate Italian employer and verify the employer’s documents through relatives or trusted contacts living in Italy where possible.

He also urged applicants to remain cautious of intermediaries and brokers.

Migration experts said the announcement is significant for Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Italy. However, they noted that the government’s announcement does not specify a separate quota for Bangladesh.

They advised prospective applicants to carefully verify all documents and the employer’s credentials before completing the application process.