Twenty-thousand to benefit as Italy takes first step to opening up labor market

Initially, 20,000 people will be allowed to apply for work there without a special permit, although they will still be required to register with the local authorities. Labor Minister Roberto Marconi told La Stampa that the limit will be raised to "30,000 and more" if the number of applicants is larger than anticipated. "We simply do not want to be flooded by immigrants from the new EU member states," explained Marconi. Italian officials earlier announced that the limits would be in power for only two years. Some people, such as nurses, managers, translators and university professors are expected to still apply for jobs regardless of the current limits. The system does not apply to Poles who were working in Italy before the accession. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A6) M.M.