DL 145/2024: Migration, Labor Protection, and Asylum Policies Now Law

Italy: Migration, Labor Protection, and Asylum Policies

The Italian Senate has officially converted Decree Law 145/2024 into law, bringing significant reforms to immigration, labor exploitation prevention, and asylum management. The government secured a majority with 99 votes in favor, 65 against, and 1 abstention. This follows the decree’s approval by the Chamber of Deputies on November 27, marking a pivotal step in addressing migration challenges in Italy.

To aid public understanding, a comprehensive dossier with explanatory notes has been prepared by the Research Services of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, detailing the decree's key provisions.

Promoting Gender Inclusion and Long-Term Flow Planning

One of the standout reforms is a quota reserving up to 40% of work-related migration entries in 2025 for female workers. This initiative seeks to enhance women’s participation in the labor market, particularly in sectors like domestic care and agriculture, which are heavily reliant on foreign labor.

Looking ahead, the decree introduces a triennial migration flow planning system for 2026-2028. This strategy aims to align migration policies with Italy's evolving labor market needs, enabling a more adaptive and efficient approach to managing migration flows.

Tightened Rules for Family Reunification

New restrictions have been implemented for family reunifications, requiring a minimum of two years of continuous legal residence in Italy before a request can be made. Furthermore, housing suitability must now be certified by municipalities, which will assess compliance with occupancy limits and minimum living standards. This measure seeks to prevent overcrowding and ensure reunited families can live in dignified conditions.

Streamlined Asylum Processing and Judicial Oversight

The law establishes a list of safe countries of origin, enabling expedited processing of international protection claims for citizens from these nations. This reform aims to allocate resources more effectively to complex asylum cases while reducing delays.

Additionally, the responsibility for validating and extending administrative detention of asylum seekers has been transferred from specialized court sections to the Courts of Appeal. This change is designed to promote greater consistency in judicial decisions and accelerate proceedings for affected individuals.

Key Operational Milestones

The implementation of DL 145/2024 includes critical deadlines:

• Pre-filing phase closure: November 30, 2024

• Click Day for entry requests: Scheduled for February 2025

The "Click Day" system, now more refined, remains a cornerstone of Italy’s transparent and orderly approach to managing high demand for work-related migration.

A Balanced Approach to Migration

DL 145/2024 reflects the Italian government’s commitment to addressing migration challenges with a comprehensive, rights-based approach. By balancing human rights protections with economic and social needs, the law seeks to regulate migration flows effectively while safeguarding labor rights and fostering integration.

For more details, visit Integrazione Migranti.