The Italian government has found a way to help job seekers and low earners obtain the help they need through a "citizens' income" website. The program is expected to start full operations on March 6.
According to The Local Italy, low earners and job seekers who post a household income below €9,360 per year on the website will get the assistance they need from the government.
When low-income citizens sign the form provided by the website, they are letting the government know that they are available for work as soon as possible. For those who cannot access the Internet, they can also sign declaration forms at government offices or post offices authorized by the administration.
Eligible citizens will receive unemployment benefits of up to €780 per month. This amount is much bigger than Italy's previous assistance offer to citizens who are either looking for a job or whose wages do not reach the €9,360 yearly mark.
Italy's Five Star Movement (M5S) made the announcement on Monday, following a confrontation with the European Commission. The commission previously denied Italy's proposal of increased spending that will help pay for the new program.
While M5S leader and Labor Minister Luigi Di Maio said the "citizens' income" website was "a great and ongoing team effort," the program received opposition early on. The General Confederation of Italian Industry Confindustria pointed out that this scheme could be a stumbling block for younger citizens who need jobs since the cash assistance may not be appealing to youth.
Confindustria Work and Welfare Director, Pierangelo Albini said, "Given that in Italy the median salary of people under 30 is €830 net per month, the €780 per month could discourage people from seeking employment.
Meanwhile, some business groups have stated that Italy's state-sponsored income pledge may be too extravagant, considering that the country has slipped back into recession. Other political analysts have also suggested that the project could lead to a more serious financial crisis. Italy already has a lot of debts to its name and the European country's decline has sparked fear for the eurozone's future.
According to Bloomberg, Five Star has argued that the new income scheme is aimed at improving internal demand. However, Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini's League party appears to be halfway supportive of the project. The Italian leader skipped Monday's launch.
Interested applicants can apply to receive the income card in the first week of March. It is worth noting that the website, www.redditodicittadinanza.gov.it , was launched a few months ahead of the European parliamentary elections.
