Italy to Open Up to 30,000 Thai Workers Annually

Thai Labour Minister Jullaporn Amornwivat discussed a new labour partnership with Italian Labour and Social Policies Minister Marina Elvira Calderone at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva. Italy has placed Thailand in its upcoming Flows Decree, signalling interest in recruiting 20,000‑30,000 Thai workers each year for sectors facing shortages—agriculture, health care and services.

Both governments aim to fast‑track a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will regulate legal recruitment, curb illegal broker activity and extend Thai workers’ rights and welfare to European standards. The agreement will also cover joint initiatives on vocational training, pension system exchange, family welfare, and the study of Italy’s dual‑track education and "right‑to‑disconnect" policies to improve working conditions for Thai migrants.

If the MOU is completed as planned, Italy will become a major European destination for Thai labour, supporting Thailand’s goal of expanding qualified overseas employment opportunities.