Europe is melting, and Italy is tackling its labor shortage in a bold way! While most of Europe is struggling through the first major heatwave of the summer, Italy has decided not to sit idle. The government announced it will issue half a million work visas over the next three years to citizens of countries outside the EU. Yes, you read that right — 500,000 new workers will be able to legally come and work in Italy!
Why? Because Italy, the third-largest economy in the Eurozone, is losing population — last year, the population dropped by 37,000, continuing a decades-long trend. Aging population and low birth rates are causing serious problems for the economy, so Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government decided to open legal immigration channels.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Meloni is known for her tough stance against illegal migration. The government has tightened measures to return illegal migrants and restricted humanitarian organizations that rescue people in the Mediterranean Sea. So, Italy wants workers, but only legal ones!
While Italy solves its problems, the rest of Europe is roasting under the sun. Paris is expected to hit a scorching 40 degrees Celsius, while Moscow will be a “cool” 16 degrees. The Balkans? Mostly sunny and very hot, with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees in southern Montenegro.
This heatwave is the first big one of the summer and brings serious challenges for all of us. And while we sweat it out, Italy is preparing to welcome millions of new workers in the coming years. Is this a lifeline for the economy or just a temporary fix?
If you have thoughts on how Europe and Italy are handling these issues, drop a comment below. Maybe you have a clever tip on surviving the heat or dealing with migration? Come on, don’t be shy!
