Bangladeshi workers can pursue employment opportunities in Italy outside the country's regular immigration quota system by completing government-approved pre-departure training programmes under Article 23 of its immigration law.

The provision allows foreign workers who successfully complete approved training programmes in their home countries to be recruited outside Italy's annual Decree Flussi quota system.

The opportunity was highlighted at a seminar titled "Language, Civic and Professional Training for Skilled Migration to Italy", held at Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort in Dhaka on Tuesday.

According to information presented at the event, the training is free of charge for participants and can be completed in Bangladesh. Applications can be submitted throughout the year without a designated application date, commonly known as a "click day".

The programme covers three key areas: basic Italian language, civic education about Italy and professional skills relevant to participants' intended employment sectors.

However, completing the training does not automatically guarantee employment or a visa. An Italian employer must submit an application for work authorisation, known as a Nulla Osta, before the worker can proceed with the visa application.

Antonio Milo of Format outlined the key benefits of the Article 23 pathway, including recruitment outside the regular quota system, free training, government monitoring of training activities and preparation in language and professional skills before departure.

He said participants who ultimately do not migrate to Italy could still use the skills acquired through the programme in Bangladesh.

Italy plans to recruit 164,850 foreign workers in 2026, 165,850 in 2027 and 166,850 in 2028 under its Decree Flussi system, bringing the total planned intake to 497,550 over three years.

The allocations will be distributed among different countries and employment sectors. Bangladesh also has a designated allocation, with cooperation in the repatriation of irregular migrants cited as a contributing factor, according to information presented at the seminar.

The event was also informed that approximately 217,000 Bangladeshis currently live legally in Italy, including around 80,000 holding work permits.

Warning against recruitment fraud

Speakers at the seminar urged prospective migrants to avoid unauthorised intermediaries and verify information through official channels.

According to the organisers, some brokers charge between $10,000 and $15,000 for visa arrangements, often making false promises and using fraudulent documents.

The organisers advised prospective workers to consult the Italian Embassy in Dhaka and the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) for reliable information about legal migration procedures.

They also highlighted the official visa and service charges, which vary depending on the visa category.

Residence permit requirements

Foreign workers entering Italy for employment must apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival.

Depending on the employment contract, the permit may be issued for up to two years and can be renewed. Applications can be submitted through designated post offices or the relevant immigration authorities.

Government support for skilled migration

Speaking as the chief guest, Mahdi Amin, adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said the government would seek to provide migrant workers with expatriate cards before their departure.

He said the cards would help workers send remittances, maintain family connections and access various government services.

Amin added that government institutions, including Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), would support skilled migration initiatives.

He said trainees were undergoing five to six months of training, including Italian language instruction, describing the programme as a potential model for expanding technical and vocational education in Bangladesh.

The government would seek to introduce the curriculum at technical training centres and vocational institutions, he added.

Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro delivered the opening remarks, while Federico Zamparelli, deputy head of mission at the Italian Embassy in Dhaka, delivered the welcome address.

Baiba Zarina, deputy head of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, discussed the EU's Talent Partnerships initiative and the importance of safe, legal and skills-based migration to Europe.

Giuseppe Di Giovanni, migration adviser at the Italian Embassy, presented an overview of Italy's employment-related immigration regulations and the provisions of Article 23.

Further presentations on Article 23 projects were delivered by Massimiliano Di Fusco of Format, Antonio Milo of Frontier Skills and Ennio Milano, manager of UP Recruitment Agency.

Gunjan Dalakoti, head of programme at the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Dr Laura Nicole Tom-Bonde, chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh, also addressed the event.

Government officials, media representatives and trainees from two Article 23-related projects attended the seminar.

Participants in Frontier Skills' TASTE project are receiving training in the restaurant and hospitality sector at Dhaka Regency Hotel, while another group is undergoing textile-sector training under Format, an Italian training and skills development organisation.