Thousands of people have been laid off over the last several months as the international economic crisis has kept a strong hold on Italy’. In response, increasing numbers of Italians and immigrants to Italy are opening up their own businesses.
According to recent data, more than 30,000 new businesses were registered between October 2008 and March 2009, the worst months of the crisis to date. Of these new businesses, 63 percent are individually run; 15 percent were registered in the region of Lombardy; one entrepreneur in three is female; and immigrants are increasingly becoming entrepreneurs in the building and commercial sectors.
Among the new businesses and services are those serving jobseekers. There is now even a social network, Job Angels, which began May 1. At www.jobangels.it, anyone can access such services as assistance in writing a resume or even finding a job. The site also connects those who wish to volunteer as ‘job angels’.
