“La donna e’ mobile” – this title of the aria from the opera “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi was the slogan of the seminar on the work and professional career of Polish women in Italy. In this way, the professional mobility of women was emphasized. The meeting was organized on Wednesday by the Polish Institute and the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome.
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At the Polish Institute in the Eternal City, the professional situation of Polish women in Italy was discussed by Kamila Kowalska from the Consular Section of the Polish Embassy and Maria Paola Nanni and Ginevra Demaio from the Center for Studies and Research Idos – authors of the volume on the migration of women to Italy.
During the meeting, it was recalled that for a long time the figure of the woman was not recognized as a “motor of mobility” in migration studies. As early as the 1980s, as noted, the stereotype of the migrant woman as a dependent person, ready to leave her country of origin following a decision taken by a migrant man or because of migration of the whole family, imposed itself.
The organizers of the seminar noted that the situation has been changed by a significant increase in the migration of women for professional reasons, leading to the global phenomenon of “feminization of migration”.
This trend, as underlined, also applies to the professional immigration of Polish women to Italy. In this context, research was conducted and presented on the presence of highly qualified Polish women in the Italian labor market after Poland joined the European Union in 2004.
This is the first description of the professional situation of Polish women in Italy. The study collects information on working conditions, career development strategies, as well as existing obstacles to careers in this country.
Kamila Kowalska, who last year published the book “Does Italian work pay. Employment of qualified Polish women in Italy”, explained that she had analyzed women’s professional activity since 2009.
She noted that among the most important obstacles in Italy is often the lack of recognition of Polish diplomas. She also said that it is easier for Polish women who have Italian partners to find jobs because their families and friends help them.
During the meeting, it was noticed that Polish women are also affected by the problem of the lack of clear work rules; there is the phenomenon of the gray economy and illegal work. In addition, access to public job competitions is difficult.
Another phenomenon mentioned is the very good integration of Polish women into Italian society, as well as the solidarity among them. Evidenced by many Polish organizations operating in Italy.
Ginevra Demaio noted that the Italian labor market, however, does not favor women and “discriminates against immigrant women” because their employment rate is much lower than the percentage of working immigrant men. She cited data that half of employed immigrant women hold three jobs: domestic help, babysitters and cleaners.
According to statistical data, about 56,000 Polish women live in Italy.
Musician Anna Nowicka, who arrived in Italy in 2010, recounted her experiences. She said she faced Italian bureaucracy and difficulties in her professional field and in accessing teaching positions. She admitted that Italy is a difficult place to work and “for immigrant women – three times”.
More positive experiences were presented by Dorota Berbeć, who successfully passed competitions for positions in public administration.
From Rome, Sylwia Wysocka
