Il movimento migratorio in Puglia: policy e flussi

Abstract

Regione Puglia fosters the implementation of an integrated system of interventions and services for immigrants' full integration, geared towards acquiring a structured understanding of migration flows. Additionally, for the sake of integration into the labour market, it promotes the dissemination and exchange of good practices and initiatives aimed at: a) combating forms of discrimination; b) promoting the awareness of the Italian culture, in order to fully carry out a reciprocal cultural integration; c) ensure equal opportunities for immigrants; d) combat criminal conducts and exploitation; e) promote immigrants' participation to the local social life. Several complementary fields of action have also been foreseen based on the needs flagged by foreigners, which specifically concern the cultural, linguistic, economic, professional, social and health spheres. In light of the data available, it emerges how much Apulia is still maintaining its own specific peculiarity of "borderland". As we have seen, this circumstance can be especially noticed in virtue of the numerous irregular and monitored landings of migrants observed in the course of the last three years. Objectively, the irregular landings of the last three years cannot by any means be likened to the landings of the Nineties. Instead, what generates more concern nowadays is the traffic of human beings. Today migrants continue crossing the sea, albeit on board of sailboats driven by professional skippers (smugglers evolving into sailors). Sea crossings are undertaken with the attempt to sail unnoticed, although the chance to circumvent coastguard's control networks with their sophisticated technology watching over the waters of Salento, the entrance door of Europe, is unlikely. Unfortunately, these indicators point to the existence of international criminal organizations, based in several Mediterranean countries. It is a thorny phenomenon to contrast, even though over the last years it has mounted much attraction by institutional stakeholders.