Italy has been renowned as a home of magnificent art and history. It has
been synonymous with great fashion (Milan, after all, is a fashion Mecca),
food (specifically pasta) and fun ( skiing and great beaches). For the big
spenders, shopping for high-quality clothing, shoes, ceramics and designer
goods are a breeze here with all goods done well. Although the Claudine-Piolo
romantic movie, “Milan”, focused only one part of Italy, it nevertheless
gave most of the Filipinos back home a sneak peek at the beautiful country
of Italy.
Filipinos in Italy, both documented and undocumented, add up to almost
200,000 working in skilled and unskilled professions. It is one of the Top
10 destinations of Overseas Filipino Workers and in 2002, had the most
number of job orders.
Country Bios:
Capital: Rome
Population: 56,153,700
Religion: Roman Catholic
Languages Spoken: Italian
Currency: Euro
Type of Government: Republic
Head of Government: Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
Geography:
Italy is a peninsula that covers an area of 301,333 square kilometers,
which extends to the Mediterranean and has a variety of geographical,
climactic and cultural environments. This boot shaped country is bordered
by Austria, Holy See (Vatican City), San Marino, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Italy has an interesting climate. Traveling from north to south, we first
encounter the alpine climate, with its moderate daily and seasonal
temperature ranges and abundant precipitation. It consists of great
massifs in the western sector, with peaks rising to over 14,000 feet,
including Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the
Matterhorn).
Italy’s National Holidays
January 1: New
Year's Day**
January 6: Epiphany
Easter Monday
April 25: Liberation
Day
May 1: Labor Day**
June 2: Anniversary
of the Founding of the Republic
August 15: Feast of
the Assumption (also known as Ferragosto)
November 1: All
Saints
December 8: Feast of
the Immaculate Conception
December 25:
Christmas Day**
December 26: St.
Stephen's Day (Boxing Day)
Economy
The Italian economy has changed dramatically since the end of World War
II. From an agriculturally based economy, it has developed into an
industrial state ranked as the world's fifth-largest industrial economy.
National Currency: EURO
(official currency of the 12 European Union member
countries, including Italy. Italy's prior currency, the lira, has now been
phased out as legal tender and is no longer accepted)
1 Php= Euro 68.85
Visas and Work Permits
Visa
You can go to Italy for 3 months on a tourist visa but you cannot convert
a tourist visa to another form of visa when you are in Italy.
Being an
illegal
alien
in Italy can be quite a hassle. Among the disadvantages are you cannot get
health or pension cover, it is difficult to find a proper job, difficult
to buy property and vehicle, and you cannot rent a contract in your name.
A website has advised that it is much better to legally sort out all
things than risk years of hassle in Italy.
Visa/Permit to Work
You have an option on how to work in Italy either as an employee (lavoro
dipendente) or as self employed (lavoro autonomo) . The quota
system in Italy is strictly observed. Although there are massive
allocations for the Philippines, the authorities wont issue a visa if all
if the number of
immigrants
from your country has already been used up no matter how skilled you are.
Lavoro Dipendente (Employee)
It is important that you have an employer to get this visa. Once you get
this visa (visto per lavoro dipendente) you will be entitled to an
equivalent work permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro dipendente).
Lavoro Autonomo (Self-Employed)
This type of visa (visto per lavoro autonomo) can be used if your work
requires or permits you to be self-employed. It equivalents as your work
permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo).
Fulltime employees in Italy, expats in particular, are expensive to
hire
(relocation, education, housing allowances) expensive to keep (high social
security contributions, training requirements, tax assistance) and
expensive to get rid of (severance pay, redundancy indemnities,
repatriation allowance). So many companies are happy to hire "consultants"
on a fixed all-in fee. It may also be to your advantage because you can
negotiate a higher net fee compared with an employee (because of all the
hidden additionals) and, despite the extra hassles of bookkeeping, tax
filing, etc, self-employment allows you to deduct certain cost items for
tax purposes, giving you a higher level of net income.
Quota considerations aside, the documents that you are required to present
to the
Italian authorities are designed to provide evidence, above all, that you
will not be a burden on the state. In other words, apart from the
application form, two photos, your passport and a photocopy of the
information pages, you will have to provide proof that you have a certain
amount of capital or income to survive until you build up your business.
Filipinos usually work in Italy as
Household workers
Minimum
Salary
Rate is UERO$ 400.00
Farm workers
Information and computer technologies
Building/construction (professionals and
engineers)
Modes of Recruitment
Name
Hire
**Worker who sought employment on his/her
own Procedures for Name Hire
1.) Submit documents to the Name-Hire
Processing Center
Evaluation Requirements
Verified Employment Contract
Work Permit / Visa
Passport
2 Passport size picture Payment for
Fees
2.) Undergo Medical Examination with a
DOH accredited clinic (3 days)
In Italian culture,
people are traditionally expected to behave with a sense of decorum and
formality at all times. This concept is known as "bella
figura" ("beautiful figure") and is often used in reference to the
ability to put on a good performance or simply to present oneself well.
What other people think is considered extremely important, and your
actions must always at least appear to be the "right" thing to do.
All presentation
materials and packaging should be aesthetically pleasing. In this culture,
it is essential in things (and the people) to look good; appearance is
considered important than “what’s inside”.
Hierarchy is key,
especially in large traditional Italian businesses where importance of the
“cordata” (chain of command) cannot be underestimated. Moreover, a belief
in status and hierarchy permeates all aspects of Italian society.
There is tremendous
respect for power,a s well as age.
The Roman catholic
Church remains a strong influence in all areas of life.
In Italian business
culture, most decisions are made in “closed quarters” by various people,
not just the highest figure in authority. There are, however, a large
proportion of family-owned businesses here; in these organizations, the
head of the family usually makes the final decision
Complimenting and
rewarding employees publicly is not done
In Italy, office and
washroom doors often remain closed, so ensure that you knock before making
an entrance. And when leaving a room, always close the door behind you.
Dressing well is a
priority here. Your clothing will be perceived as a reflection of your
social standing and relative success.
Follow Italian
business protocol by waiting until you are invited before using first
names.
Especially between
executives and subordinates, first names are not used in Italian business
culture.
You are expected to
use "Signore" (Mr.) and "Signora" (Mrs.), plus the family name, when
introduced to strangers.
If you have to
summon a server or clerk, you may use the phrase "senta", which means,
generally, "please come here."
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT CENTERS
Phillippine Embassy to Rome, Italy
Viale delle Magdaglie d Oro 112-114 Rome
(0039)06-39746621
H.E. Philippe J. Lhullier
Philippine Embassy To The Holy See
Via Paolo VI 29 00139 Rome
(0039)06-68308020; (06)6833205
Fax (0039)06-6834076
H.E Henrietta Tambunting de Villa Ambassador
Office Of The Labor Attache
Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro 114-114 00136 Roma
(0039)06-39746716
Atty. Florenda Herrera Labor Attache
Useful Italian Phrases
These basic phrases are a handy survival factor for first time visitors of
Italy. Better yet, practice them
Yes = Si No = No Please = Per Favore Thank you = Grazie You’re Welcome = Prego I am sorry = Mi dispiace Excuse me = Mi scusi Goodbye= Arrivederci I (don’t) understand = ( non) Capisco
Although some important topics have been touched, OFWGuide.com advises all
those who plan to work and migrate to Italy to do a more thorough and
specific research. Ask around relatives or visit the Italian embassy here
at the Philippines at Zeta Condominium, 191 Salcedo Street Legaspi
Village, Makati, Metro Manila. With telephone number-
(+632) 892-4531 and fax number:
(+632) 817-1436
