There are more than 7,000 Gambians in Italy and more than half of this
number is unemployed, statistics has indicated.
The unemployment rate in Italy is said to have reached an all-time record of 42 per cent since March this year.
Italy’s unemployment ratio has not been stably decreasing for the past four years and some opposition parties said this is as a result of the enormous arrivals of migrants from The Gambia and other countries through the Mediterranean.
Matteo Salvini, leader of Laga Nord, an Italian opposition party, said migrants in Italy are continually adding to the unemployment ratio of the country thus should be stopped.
“Italy does not have the capacity to accommodate these immigrants,” he said.
Our correspondent in Italy said Matteo has been identified as the most controversial racist leader when it comes to issues of immigrants in Italy.He has always been speaking evil of immigrants saying Italy does not welcome them.
Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister and secretary of the opposition party – Forza Italia, said Italy’s unemployment rate is alarming because the Mediterranean migrants add to the burden.
A source at the Gambian embassy in Milano, Italy, confirmed that The Gambia is among the major suppliers of migrants to Italy, after Nigeria.
The source said many of the migrants, including Gambians, in Italy are unemployed and even those employed are mostly in illegal engagements.
“There are truly many Gambians in Italy and many came through the illegal route but what is more ailing is that they cannot find a second home nor can they get regular monthly salaries,” the source said. “Italy itself is in a mess so if all Gambian youth take their bags for Italy of course there will be more unemployment.”
Hadim Jallow and Abdoulie Mballow, all from Basse, said they have been in Italy for more than 20 years but for the last seven years they could not find a regular job.
They said this is mainly because the number of immigrants in Italy has increased over the years and all of them are asking for the few jobs available.
The lack of jobs for migrants like Hadim and Abdoulie has left them with no money to send to their families back home.
“Our families do not believe when we tell them we have no money. They think we have it and must send them anytime they demand and this is a problem,” they said.“Most of us here visit home very rarely because of lack of job to facilitate our trips.”
