Italy will open 10,500 jobs for Pakistani workers over three years under a new labor mobility agreement.
Italy will provide employment to 10,500 Pakistani workers over the next three years under a labor mobility agreement, the country’s Ambassador to Pakistan announced in Islamabad.
Ambassador Marilina Armellin made the announcement during Italy Day celebrations on Tuesday. She said the framework would let thousands of Pakistanis access legal employment in Italy over the next three years. She added that Italy remains committed to deepening cooperation with Pakistan across labor mobility, education, diplomacy, and economic engagement.
The 10,500 figure stems from an agreement first reached in December last year. Under that arrangement, Italy allocated a labor quota of 10,500 for Pakistani workers across several sectors. The placements are spread across three years rather than offered all at once.
The deal builds on a memorandum of understanding on labor mobility and migration that the two countries concluded in Islamabad in May 2025.. Officials have described the arrangement as Pakistan’s first labor agreement with a European country.
Italy Jobs for Pakistanis Cover Multiple Sectors
The roles span industries facing labor shortages in Italy. Pakistan Today reported that the jobs cover shipbreaking, hospitality, healthcare, and agriculture, among others.
The placements follow a fixed annual structure. 3,500 workers will secure overseas employment each year under both seasonal and non-seasonal quotas. The Diplomatic Insight, citing the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, reported that of the yearly figure, 1,500 workers will fill seasonal jobs and 2,000 will take non-seasonal positions.
The Diplomatic Insight reported that Italy is the first European state to formally open its labor market to Pakistan through a quota-based mechanism. Officials said the step could lead to similar agreements with other EU members.
Italy Pakistan Labor Deal Targets Legal Migration
Italian officials have framed the quota as a way to promote legal migration. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi reiterated the decision during a February meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Rome, saying it was aimed at promoting legal migration and strengthening bilateral ties.
The Diplomatic Insight reported that officials say the arrangement could help curb illegal migration and provide regulated employment abroad. The move comes amid a sharp rise in outward migration from Pakistan.
Armellin also said 3,200 scholarships had been granted to Pakistani students for the 2025-26 academic year, allowing them to study at Italian universities. She said the program reflects a growing educational partnership between the two countries.
The two governments are set to continue talks on implementation and possible expansion of the quota. A meeting of the Pakistan-Italy Joint Working Group was scheduled to take place in Islamabad to discuss those details. Officials said momentum is expected to continue as the framework moves toward full implementation.
