Italy to Hire More Bangladeshi Workers, Says Matteo Piantedosi

Italy has expressed its willingness to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh while ensuring the migrants’ safety and legal pathways for employment.

The commitment came from visiting Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday afternoon.

Officials said the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including safe and legal migration, combating human trafficking, and enhancing trade and investment ties.

Minister Piantedosi conveyed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to visit Bangladesh before September, as part of Rome’s intention to "renew" and "relaunch" its bilateral cooperation with Dhaka.

“We have a vibrant Bangladeshi community in Italy. They are young, hardworking, and have integrated well into our society. We are very satisfied with them—and we need more such manpower,” he said.

However, he also raised concerns about illegal migration routes being used by some Bangladeshis. “Many rely on dangerous and illegal means to reach Italy. We want to welcome those who follow the legal framework,” he added.

Calling irregular sea arrivals "very problematic" for Italy, Piantedosi sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in addressing illegal migration and dismantling human trafficking networks.

“We are here to propose a new model of cooperation,” the minister said.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus assured Italy of Bangladesh’s willingness to collaborate on this front. “Some international networks are misleading Bangladeshis into illegal migration. These groups create serious problems,” he said, stressing that “migrants end up as victims, not beneficiaries, of human trafficking.”

Recalling his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last September, Prof Yunus said both countries are committed to working closely to address these challenges.