The upcoming ‘click day’ on March 21st 2024, designated for the admission of domestic caregivers from non-EU countries to Italy, has sparked apprehension among Italian families, particularly those seeking to hire caregivers or babysitters. Assindatcolf, an Italian association representing domestic workers’ employers, voiced concerns over the procedure, citing findings from a recent survey conducted by the socio-economic research institute Censis.
According to Assindatcolf, 82.5% of families employing domestic workers expressed a preference for alternative procedures to the flow decree regulating the entry of foreign workers. The survey, titled ‘Where is welfare going? Health, assistance, and social services in the expectations of households,’ revealed that only 17.5% of families supported maintaining the current system of entry quotas for foreign workers.
The study, conducted on a sample of 2,400 families hiring domestic workers, also shed light on the unfamiliarity of families with the ‘click day’ procedure. A significant 71.7% of respondents indicated a lack of awareness about the system, while those familiar with it reported complexities and difficulties in the application process.
Reflecting on the experience of the first ‘click day’ held on December 4 last year, Assindatcolf President Andrea Zini emphasized the inadequacies of the flow decree system and its associated procedures. He described the system as cumbersome and insufficient, citing challenges faced by families in accessing available quotas and navigating the application process.
Expressing apprehension about the upcoming ‘click day’ on March 21, Zini voiced concerns over the potential recurrence of issues encountered during previous rounds. The overwhelming demand for non-EU domestic workers and caregivers exceeded available quotas within minutes of online applications opening, highlighting the urgency of addressing systemic challenges to streamline the admission process.