Dozens of migrant workers and international students blocked Via Bovi Campeggi outside Bologna’s police immigration office on Wednesday night, waving expired receipts and chanting “We want to work!”. Many said they have waited more than six months for their first permesso di soggiorno or for a renewal, far beyond the 60-day legal deadline. Italian employers must register new hires within 48 hours, yet without a valid permit migrants cannot sign contracts, open bank accounts or access the national health service. Local labour-union CGIL estimates that over 4 000 applications are stuck in Bologna alone, causing seasonal labour shortages in nearby agri-food districts and delivery services. The Interior Ministry recently digitalised the permit card, but police unions complain they lack scanners and staff to process biometric data, a gap partly due to unfilled vacancies and the summer rotation of officers. Advocacy group ASGI threatens legal action, citing a June Court of Cassation ruling that recognised damages for “excessive administrative delay”. For global-mobility teams the episode is a warning to avoid last-minute assignments: even employees with pre-approved nulla osta may wait months for the physical card. Companies should budget for interim insurance, consider postings to less-backlogged provinces, and keep copies of postal-office receipts that serve as provisional proof of stay. The protesters dispersed peacefully after midnight but vowed to return next week if no progress is made. Bologna city hall has asked the Prefecture to set up an emergency Saturday counter to clear the backlog before the winter university intake.
Source: La Repubblica
