Italy PM says work visa scheme abused by organised crime

ROME: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday announced plans to reform Italy´s visa system for non-EU workers, saying it was being exploited by organised crime groups to smuggle in illegal migrants.

Instead, the government would work towards a system where arrivals will need an employment contract, she told a cabinet meeting, according to a statement from her office.

“We are faced with a mechanism of fraud and circumvention of regular entry systems -- with the heavy interference of organised crime -- which we must stop and correct,” she said.

Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, made the announcement just days before European Parliament elections.

Since taking office in October 2022, she has introduced measures to try to reduce irregular migration into Italy while expanding the number of legal work visas in response to business demand.