MIGRATION: Italy

Fleeing the chaos of war across Iran, Turkey, Greece and the Adriatic Sea, eventually some Afghan refugees arrive in Rome, Italy. Those who complete the journey have walked over mountains, bribed their way past checkpoints, evaded customs agents and survived hours or days stowed illegally in boat holds and shipping trailers. Once in Rome, the refugees face an increasingly xenophobic government and often unwelcoming local population. This story is common to all refugees, and will persist as long as war or severe economic disparities make such a journey worth the risk. Destination countries such as Italy should acknowledge the humanitarian imperative and economic benefit to developing sound refugee and immigration policies.
Despite significant anti-immigrant sentiment, there are several arguments for Italy to welcome rather than criminalize displaced persons and political refugees. Much like present day migrants from Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe, millions of Italians sought better opportunities abroad in the 1900s. Indeed, the Italian diaspora today includes over 35 million Italian-Brazilians and almost 20 million Italian-Americans. While this does not imply a reciprocal duty, Italy should consider the benefits of such generational progression from unskilled laborers to fully integrated knowledge sector employees.
Furthermore, Italy is increasingly reliant on migrant labor due to a steadily declining population. According to a report by Caritas, non-Italian employees equal 11.9% of the total employed population. (1) As stated by Flavio Di Giacomo, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, “If all the migrants just stopped working now, the Italian economic system would collapse.” (2) This is true especially in the agricultural south where immigrants are exploited for cheap labor.
http://wphr.org/2010/chris-mimm/immigration-development-and-human-rights/