EU's 3rd largest economy eyes up to 30,000 Thai workers per year

Thailand is moving to expand employment opportunities for its citizens in Europe, with Italy, the 3rd largest economy in the European Union, expressing interest in recruiting up to 30,000 Thai workers annually to address severe labor shortages across several sectors.

The initiative follows recent talks between Thailand's Labor Minister Chulaphan Amornwiwat and Italian Labor and Social Policies Minister Marina Elvira Calderone on the sidelines of the 114th International Labor Conference in Geneva.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Capt. Phattharasarim Thongsaluaykrorn stated Sunday that the administration is highly focused on creating more overseas job opportunities and improving the livelihoods of Thai workers, according to Bangkok Post.

According to the spokesperson, these discussions mark a crucial step toward expanding access to the European labor market.

Italy has formally included Thailand in its Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree) 2026-2028 program, a three-year immigration framework that regulates the legal entry of non-EU workers, Thairath reported.

This measure will facilitate the recruitment of Thai workers for both seasonal and long-term positions in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and services. Previous discussions with Italy's ambassador to Thailand indicated a specific target of 20,000 to 30,000 Thai workers each year to fill these critical gaps.

The overall Decreto Flussi program authorizes 497,550 work visas over three years to combat workforce deficits, with approximately 164,850 permits allocated specifically for 2026, according to Reuters.

To support this migration, Thailand is seeking to accelerate the signing of a bilateral labor memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Officials note this agreement will create a formal, safe channel for Thai workers relocating to Italy, strengthening protections for workers' rights, welfare, and employment conditions while reducing the risks associated with illegal recruitment agencies.

During the Geneva meeting, both nations also agreed to deepen cooperation across four key areas: vocational education and training, pension system development, labor rights and family welfare protection, and the broader expansion of opportunities for Thai workers in Europe.

Italy's recruitment drive is heavily driven by demographic challenges.

A 2025 Reuters report highlighted that "an ageing population and a sagging birthrate highlight the need to attract foreign workers in the euro zone's third largest economy."

In 2024, Italy recorded 281,000 more deaths than births. The population fell by 37,000 to 58.93 million, continuing a decade-long downward trend, the report said.

To counter this ongoing depopulation and maintain current workforce and inhabitant levels, the Osservatorio Conti Pubblici think tank estimates that Italy will need to absorb at least 10 million immigrants by 2050.

Italy is the third-largest economy in the European Union, trailing Germany and France. With a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $2.4 trillion, the country accounts for roughly 12% of the entire European economic output, according to the International Trade Administration.