In 2023, the Italian National Social Security Institute (INPS) canceled over 27 thousand irregular contracts in the agricultural sector and reported 425 workers. This was the result of 669 inspections out of a total of 9,202 checks, leading to production results totaling 982.4 million euros, a 46% increase from previous years. The INPS inspection staff’s commitment will continue in 2024, with a focus on combating gangmastering in sectors like domestic work and agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Police Force.
In recent years, the INPS has implemented a new approach in its relationship with companies, focused on support paths and ex-ante controls as outlined in the new Supervisory Plan approved by the board of directors. This approach has led to an increase in document supervision activity, with over 162,793 checks conducted in 2023, which was 91,000 more than in 2022. The institute is also involved in implementing the National Portal of Undeclared Work and is working on specific functions to share inspection results within the portal.
The INPS is dedicated to combatting undeclared work and ensuring the legality and protection of labor rights in various sectors through inspection activities and collaborative projects with national and international organizations. In addition to its efforts to combat gangmastering, the institute has renewed a specific Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organization for Migration for a project called ALT Corporate TWO, aimed at protecting work legality and dignity. The project includes initiatives to combat gangmastering, awareness-raising activities for migrant workers, and professional development initiatives for inspection staff.
Overall, the INPS’s commitment to combating undeclared work will continue to be a top priority in 2024 as it addresses all forms of irregular work and gray work across different sectors nationwide. The institute is confident that its strong control activities will help improve effectiveness of inspection activities and monitoring of undeclared work throughout Italy.
