ROME – Italy’s Click Day, a high-stakes system for hiring non-EU migrant workers, has faced criticism for its inefficiency. Introduced in 2011, this system fills seasonal and non-seasonal job quotas quickly, often within minutes, but leaves many applicants without opportunities. “It rewards whoever has the fastest connection or the quickest finger on the mouse,” noted Mario Roberto Carraro, vice president of Confindustria Vicenza. The system aimed to support key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing but has been deemed inadequate by both employers and labor advocates, reports 24brussels.
Despite the system’s intent, only 12% of applicants through the Decreto Flussi receive residence permits, with the remainder either remaining outside Italy or becoming undocumented workers. The lengthy processing times at Italian consulates can take up to six months, resulting in many job opportunities being lost by the time workers arrive. “Migrants are left without a residence permit, without protection, and at risk of exploitation,” stated Giulia Gori of Ero Straniero.
Delays, dysfunction, and criminal networks
Employers, particularly in agriculture, express frustration over the Click Day’s inefficiencies. Carraro described the process as disconnected from actual labor demand, stating that the region of Vicenza has largely abandoned the system. Romano Magrini of Coldiretti revealed that while the government has curtailed some abuses, the system does not effectively serve employers’ needs.
Coldiretti is in discussions about implementing a year-round application process for pre-approved employers, with hopes to trial this approach by 2026. Earlier this month, the Click Day was expanded to allow for about 500,000 workers from 2026 to 2028, yet doubts remain regarding whether this adjustment will alleviate existing pressures. “If the strawberries are ready in April, I need workers then – not in July,” Magrini emphasized, advocating for staggered applications throughout the year.
Furthermore, criminal networks have exploited the shortcomings of the official system, charging migrants substantial fees for non-existent jobs. Prosecutors have uncovered organized schemes, including those linked to the Camorra, that target vulnerable migrants.
A political stalemate
The government has acknowledged flaws within the Click Day model while extending its use through 2028. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration faces criticism for failing to enact significant reforms. “There’s no technical reason for not changing it,” Gori remarked. Questions arise whether political motives are hindering necessary adjustments to the system.
Carraro concurred, asserting that ideological approaches cannot address the country’s escalating labor shortages. “What we need is a serious, constructive dialogue between government and businesses to create a system that’s more flexible, faster, and more effective. The future of our productive fabric depends on it.”
