Meetings between the chief of the Migration Agency Behzod Musayev, Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Italy's Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida and executives of the Confagricoltura organization, resulted in significant deals regarding the recruitment of Uzbeks for Italian agricultural jobs.
Specifically, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan and the Italian Associazione Imprese Ortofrutticole. Under this agreement, Uzbeks will be sent to Italy for seasonal work lasting between 3 and 9 months.
Reportedly, the association unites over 35 major Italian fruit and vegetable companies. The structure covers the entire agro-industrial chain, from farming and processing to logistics and exports. Primary items mentioned include fruits such as apples, kiwis, pomegranates, and strawberries.
Furthermore, the association's president, Marco Salvi, expressed readiness to employ 100 Uzbek citizens this year as part of a pilot project. This indicates that a new direction is opening up for Uzbeks in the Italian labor market.
According to open sources, traveling to Italy for seasonal work requires an employer-issued permit, followed by issuance of a seasonal work visa. Such work permits are typically granted based on Italy's annual quota system.
This new agreement is expected to provide more opportunities for legal employment abroad for citizens of Uzbekistan, while also laying a foundation for earning income through seasonal employment and gaining international labor experience.
