Italy is an attractive destination for many Filipino workers so many may get lured with the offer of a seasonal job in this country. However, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently issued an advisory that hiring of seasonal workers is not allowed in Italy.

So any recruitment agency or individual that promises a seasonal job in Italy is surely an illegal recruiter. According to the POEA Chief, Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, seasonal workers are allowed only in countries with special agreements with Italy excluding the Philippines, and those already working legally in Italy.

Manalili explained that there is really a job opportunity for seasonal workers in Italy but it is only for workers who are currently in Italy and possess a valid work permit or soggiorno. Italy also allows direct recruitment of foreign workers but only in countries that they have an existing bilateral agreements. These countries includes Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,

Croatia, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine. Punishment such as imprisonment or deportation awaits foreigners who are illegally working and staying in Italy.  

A number of Filipino workers have been victimized by this illegal recruitment as reported by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Rome. The POLO said that the poor Filipino victims which paid Php500, 000 are currently stranded in Italy. They arrived in Italy and discovered that the job that was promised to them is nonexistent and they could not find employment as they lack proper work documents.