The continuous inflow of Bangladeshi migrants into Italy through irregular channels is undermining prospects for sending workers legally to the European nation.
Between January and August this year, nearly 12,000 Bangladeshis entered Italy illegally, making up about one-third of the total irregular entrants. Officials say such large-scale irregular migration not only damages Bangladesh’s image abroad but also leaves victims financially devastated, creating social problems at home.
Against this backdrop, both governments are exploring ways to expand legal migration channels while curbing human trafficking.
“Bangladeshi workers have good prospects in Italy as the Italians appreciate them for their hard work and honesty. They are recognised in Italy for contributing to both the economies of Bangladesh and Italy. Bangladeshi workers can be hired at competitive wages,” Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy ATM Rokebul Haque told TIMES of Bangladesh.
He noted that demand for foreign workers is rising in Italy due to its ageing population. There is a demand for workers in various sectors, particularly in tourism, caregiving, shipbuilding, and agriculture. However, he added that both countries need to work together to combat illegal migration by promoting legal migration.
Bangladeshis in Italy
Italy hosts over 250,000 Bangladeshis, the second-largest Bangladeshi community in Europe after the United Kingdom. Following an eight-year suspension, Italy reopened its labour market to Bangladeshi workers in 2022.
More than 16,000 Bangladeshis migrated legally to Italy in 2023, but the number fell sharply to just 1,100 in 2024. By May this year, around 2,000 Bangladeshis entered Italy through official channels.
Nulla Osta complications
A major obstacle has been widespread fraud in securing the Nulla Osta, a permit issued by Italian authorities confirming eligibility for an employment visa.
The Italian government uncovered some 60,000 forged Nulla Osta documents linked to Bangladeshi applicants, prompting a tougher stance on visa issuance since last year.
A senior foreign ministry official, requesting anonymity, said: “We asked the Italian government to resolve the Nulla Osta problems, and they deployed an additional 20 officers at the Italian embassy to clear the visa backlog.”
The Italian embassy has pledged to scrutinise every application and reject those containing irregularities, they added.
Flows decree
Under Italy’s Flows Decree – a multi-year regulation setting annual quotas for non-EU workers – the period 2026–2028 allocates 497,550 seasonal and non-seasonal jobs.
A former Bangladeshi diplomat, who worked in Rome, warned that Dhaka risks missing this opportunity unless it demonstrates greater seriousness.
“The Bangladesh government must ensure a proper, transparent process for sending workers. Italy’s approach is now more stringent, and it is clear they will not tolerate irregularities in visa applications,” he said.
