The Afghanistan Analysts Network has reported that low wages, high living costs, exploitation of migrant workers, and discrimination in hiring are among the main challenges facing migrants from Afghanistan in Italy.
The network said on Sunday, October 18, that most job opportunities in the agricultural and tourism sectors are seasonal and informal.
The organisation identified low incomes as one of the challenges facing migrants, stating that wage levels in Italy are lower than in many other European countries.
As a result, some people from Afghanistan leave Italy for other European countries with higher wages, even after living in Italy for years and obtaining Italian citizenship.
According to the network’s report, some of them return to Italy only to renew their residence documents.
The report states that the expansion of informal or undeclared work in Italy’s economy has created opportunities for the exploitation of migrant workers.
Some employers hire migrants on farms and at construction companies without proper contracts or force them to work beyond the prescribed hours.
According to the network, safety regulations are also frequently disregarded.
The Afghanistan Analysts Network added that discrimination in hiring is another challenge facing migrants from Afghanistan in Italy.
According to the organisation, connections with fellow citizens and employment intermediaries can make it easier to access job opportunities. However, migrants from Afghanistan generally lack such networks and resources.
Limited opportunities for career advancement are also among the reasons migrants from Afghanistan leave Italy.
Some of them, including those already employed, move to other countries because of the lack of opportunities for wage increases and career advancement.
The organisation added that despite the risk of exploitation in other countries, higher wages and better employment opportunities have made other European countries more attractive destinations for people from Afghanistan living in Italy.
According to the report, frequent relocations and short-term employment have hindered the formation of stable Afghanistan communities in Italy.
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