New hope for the immigrant in Italy?

… Government puts measures against racial discrimination

Scanning through Italian journals over the past weeks it does seems the Italian Government is changing its policies on immigrants in the country which has been facing sharp criticisms.

If you live in Italy as an immigrant (unless you live in a hole), the racism factor - discrimination, ambiguous and sometimes absurd laws are issues that you have to deal with. Recent developments are indicating the Government is putting in measures to curb these uncomfortable situations faced by immigrants in the country.

A new office under the Government named, ‘Ufficio Nationale Antidiscriminazioni Razziali’ (U.N.A.R.) - The National Office Against Racial Discrimination - has been set up, tasked with the objective of checking and guaranteeing just treatment for anyone who has been a victim of any form of discrimination or harassment due to his/her origin or colour. U.N.A.R. has set up a toll free number, 800.90.10.10, in the country accessible between Monday and Friday from 10.am to 8p.m. There are operators answering calls in Italian, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian and Chinese. They provide information, offer orientation and support to victims of racial discrimination and by calling the toll free number, you can report or tell of incidents, events, and discriminatory actions based on race or ethnics. My source of information tells me the contact centre, where possible, helps in the resolution of cases through the office expertise and supports the victim in protecting his/her experience. They will also promote studies, research, courses and exchange of experience so as to remove the obstacles to having access to all public and private services, as well as full awareness of civil and social rights.

U.N.A.R. also offers assistance and support in legal or administrative procedures and can carry out autonomous investigating to verify the existence of discriminatory phenomenon. Reading through the lines, I’m further told, the office can carry out informal reconciliation in order to avoid taking legal action. The aim of such move is to rapidly get rid of the discriminatory behaviour.

That’s not all. U.N.A.R. is also committed to targeting public opinion through awareness raising campaigns, education in school and information at the work place. This aims at preventing the development of discriminatory behaviour and ensuring that equal treatment of all becomes a cultural baggage. And to add more, U.N.A.R. is to promote projects and actions aimed at eliminating at the root disadvantages due to ethnic or racial background. According to my source, every year, U.N.A.R. will prepare a report to the Italian Parliament on the real application of the principles of equal treatment of all and on the efficacy of the mechanisms for preventing racial discrimination. Will also prepare a report to the Prime Minister on the activities carried, so as to make political organs and public opinion aware of the progresses and the problems encountered in fighting racial discrimination.

Another source has it that new rules for granting Italian citizenship and immigrants’ rights to vote are being examined by Parliament. The Government is also considering a Bill before Parliament which includes: making triennial plans for entering foreign workers, making it easier for highly qualified foreign workers to come to Italy and the possibility of coming to look for work. The Bill before Parliament also aims at simplifying documents bureaucratic procedures immigrants have to undergo, making their Permit of Stay to be valid for longer periods and plans to gradually transfer renewal of the Staying Permit from the ‘Questura’ (Police Office) to the ‘Comune’ (City Councils). If approved as it is, the Bill would enable immigrants to play an active role in public life by granting them right to vote in local elections.

Minister of Social Solidarity, Paolo Ferrero, said on the Bill before Parliament, “We now have to wait and see how many of these proposals would be approved”. He would like the Bill to be approved fast and adds, “It’s shameful that a person who has a right to the Permit Stay must wait for 12 – 16 months.”

The Minister could not have said it better in his last statement. Some of the Italian laws on immigrants are clearly discriminatory. They have been under my trenchant pen with loads of criticisms. Changes are needed but in Italy it takes not only time but an awful lot of time for changes to be made. Much of the political thinking is stuck in bygone era. Let’s hope with the latest developments the Government will wise up to carry the necessary reforms on these immigrants' laws in the country. As it is now, it’s laws for the dogs.