In the months since passing a hard-line
immigration policy, Italy has come under increased scrutiny for its tough
stance, including the ‘push-back’ policy: immediately deporting would-be
immigrants intercepted at sea without allowing them to disembark or seek
refugee status.
Italy’s new immigration policy came to the forefront
in late August following the deaths of 73 Eritreans who drifted for 20 days at
sea without being rescued by passing ships, the latest and one of the largest
tragedies involving Europe-bound migrants in the Mediterranean. Although
Italy’s border police rescued and saved five survivors of the fatal three-week
voyage, accusations were launched at both Malta and Italy, whose governments
both denied responsibility. The tragedy evoked criticism from both the United
Nations’ high commissioner for refugees and the Vatican.
The Italian government defends
the new policy, arguing that it has helped curb illegal immigration. ‘The
push-back policy works and we will continue to uphold it in the interests of
both Italy and the European Union’, Interior minister Roberto Maroni recently
told the press. According to Maroni, 1,300 illegal immigrants arrived on
Italy’s coasts between May 1, when the policy took effect, and August 31; last
year the number for the period was 14,000.
In the meantime, the Italian government has moved to
grant amnesty to thousands foreign domestic and health care workers who already
work ‘illegally’ in Italian households.
Applications for a legal work permit can be submitted
by employers throughout September online (at www.interno.it)
or in person at city halls and trade union offices throughout Italy. To get a
permit, employers must pay 500 euro and confirm that they will employ
candidates as domestic workers. Italian officials expect some 500,000
applications.
