Varese Labor Inspectorate faces severe understaffing, Italy's most uncovered office

A report by the FP CGIL trade union shows that the Varese office of Italy's National Labor Inspectorate is operating with only 31 inspectors instead of the 119 positions allocated, leaving more than 75% of its staff vacant. This makes Varese the most understaffed inspection office in the country.

The shortage is said to reduce workplace inspections, weaken safety checks, and limit the agency's ability to combat illegal labor practices such as exploitation, caporalato, and tax evasion. It also lengthens the time needed for inspections and services to businesses and workers. Although the province accounts for about 1.5% of Italy’s population and wealth, it receives just 0.56% of the inspectorate’s operational staff, a disparity the union describes as unprecedented.

The FP CGIL calls for extraordinary measures from the National Labor Inspectorate and the Ministry of Labor to restore adequate staffing and ensure effective enforcement of labor laws in the region.