Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware of the precarious living conditions in the informal settlements of San Ferdinando[1]. Protecting migrant workers from exploitation and ensuring that they enjoy adequate working and living conditions is a priority for the Commission. The EU legal migration Directives[2] and the Charter of Fundamental Rights provide that they shall live in dignified conditions, and the Seasonal Workers Directive[3] provides for a right to accommodation that ensures an adequate standard of living. Working with Member States to support access of migrants to adequate and affordable housing is a priority of the Commission’s Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion for 2021-27[4].
The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)[5] contributes — among other things — to the socioeconomic inclusion of third-country nationals. For instance , t he AMIF Emergency Assistance programmes Su.Pr.Eme and Su.Pr.Eme 2[6], included in Italy’s AMIF National Programme 2021-2027 (EUR 30 million) , target specific areas, including San Ferdinando, by providing assistance to victims of labour exploitation and promoting alternative housing solutions. Likewise, t he ESF+[7] within the National Programme for Inclusion and the fight against poverty 2021-2027 (EUR 15 million) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)[8] in Italy support the integration of non-EU workers and access to quality housing . San Ferdinando also benefits from Italy’s EU-funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan to overcome abusive settlements[9].
- [1] A survey conducted by Italy on the housing conditions of migrant workers employed in the agri-food sector, identified more than 10 000 migrant workers living in such informal settlements in 2022, including San Ferdinando, https://www.anci.it/wp-content/uploads/Sintesi-Rapporto-INCAS.pdf.
- [2] Notably the Seasonal Workers Directive (2014/36/EU) and the Single Permit Directive (2011/98/EU).
- [3] Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the conditions of entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers, OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/36/oj.
- [4] COM(2020) 758 final.
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, p. 1-47, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1147/oj.
- [6] Su.Pr.Eme stands for ‘Sud Protagonista nel superamento delle Emergenze in ambito di grave sfruttamento e di gravi marginalità degli stranieri regolarmente presenti nelle 5 regioni meno sviluppate’. More information available here: https://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Dettaglio-progetto/id/62/SuPrEme2.
- [7] Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj.
- [8] Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1058/oj.
- [9] https://www.lavoro.gov.it/strumenti-e-servizi/attuazione-interventi-pnrr/pagine/m5c2-inv-2-2.