European Economic and Social Committee
Mission Report – Italy, 18-19 January 2016
In December 2015 and January 2016, EESC delegations visited 11 EU Member States to meet civil society organisations working with migrants in order to identify the problems, needs, failures, success stories and best practice of the various players in the current refugee crisis, with the final aim of providing input for EU policy making. The delegation to Italy was composed of Vladimira Drbalová (Czech Republic, Employers Group), José Antonio Moreno Díaz (Spain, Workers Group) and Antonio Longo (Italy, Various interests Group), supported by Valeria Atzori, EESC secretariat, and Daniela Rondinelli, Office of the President.
- Situation in Italy
Italy is facing huge challenges since it is a country of reception, transit and final destination for
refugees and migrants. Most of the work is being done within the framework of emergency
management.
The major entry points are:
- Southern Italy and its islands (mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa)
- The Port of Ancona (mainly from Greece and Albania)
- The North-Eastern borders with Austria and Slovenia
- Milan's Airports (Linate and Malpensa)
The Italian system for the reception of asylum seekers consists, on one hand, of what is referred to as SPRAR (the system of protection for asylum seekers and refugees) and, on the other, of CAS (centres for extraordinary hospitality). SPRAR is the usual channel and is managed by the Ministry for the Interior. Public funds are granted to municipalities that participate on a voluntary basis and set up hospitality projects. The CAS were set up following the arrival en masse of migrants in Lampedusa in 2013. These centres are designed to operate in emergency situations and are managed by the prefecture. The asylum requests are dealt by a system of 20 territorial commissions, spread all over the country. There are also three hotspots where migrant identification takes place: Lampedusa, Trapani and Pozzallo. Another three are to be opened in Salerno, Taranto and Augusta. A discussion is currently ongoing as to whether to open one in Milan for the increasing number of people arriving via the Balkan route. In 2015, fewer immigrants arrived than in 2014 ( -7.4%), but figures for the month of January seem to be pointing to a potential upwards trend. The refugees and migrants span about 30 different nationalities; most are from Senegal, Gambia, Pakistan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Mali and Syria. 65% are from Libya. Italy has taken big steps forward in terms of its reception capacity but a lot remains to be done on integration (jobs, houses, health, recognition of professional skills, registered residence, etc.).