Country profile ITA
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2010-03-15 | C182 | Legislative Decree No. 66 of 15 March 2010 on the Military Code - Article 1929 | [{"link_name":"Legislative Decree No. 66 of 15 March 2010 on the Military Code","source_link":"https://www.difesa.it/assets/allegati/26819/decreto_legislativo_66_2010.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article 1929. 1. of the Decree suspends any compulsory military service. Therefore, there is currently no forced recruitment of persons for use in armed conflict. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 1990-10-09 | C182 | Presidential Decree n. 309 on the Consolidation of the laws on the regulation of narcotics and psychotropic substances, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of the related states of drug addiction - Article 44, Article 79 and Article 82 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree n. 309","source_link":"https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:presidente.repubblica:decreto:1990-10-09;309"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 44 of the Law prohibits the delivery of illegal substances to minors. Furthermore, Article 79. 3. punishes any person using or allowing a public place or private club to be used as a meeting place for people who use narcotic or psychotropic substances. The sentence for the committing of such crime is raised in cases where a minor participates in the conference. Additionally, Article 82 punishes whoever publicly incites the illicit use of narcotic or psychotropic substances, or carries out, even in private, proselytism activities for such use of the aforementioned substances, or induces a person to use the same. The penalty for the commission of such offence is increased if the act is committed against minors or inside or in the vicinity of schools of any type and level, youth communities or barracks; and it is doubled if the acts are committed against a minor under the age of fourteen. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1998-08-3 | C182 | Law of the 3 August 1998, n. 269 on the Rules against the exploitation of prostitution, pornography, and sexual tourism to the detriment of minors, as new forms of slavery - Article 2, Article 3 | [{"link_name":"Law of the 3 August 1998, n. 269","source_link":"https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/1998/08/10/098G0337/sg"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 2 and 3 of the Law, respectively, prohibit the use of children below the age of 18 years for the purpose of prostitution and pornography. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2003-08-11 | C182 | Law of 11 August 2003, no. 228 on the measures against human trafficking - Article 2 | [{"link_name":"Law of 11 August 2003, no. 228 on the measures against human trafficking","source_link":"https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:2003;228~art13"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 2 of the Law punishes any person guilty of trafficking in person with imprisonment from eight to twenty years and provides for an increase in the sentence if the crime is committed against a minor under the age of eighteen. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2010-12-30 | C138 | Ministerial Circular 12/30/2010, no. 101 - Section 4 | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Circular 12/30/2010, no. 101","source_link":"https://www.dirittoscolastico.it/files/cm101_10.pdf"}] | No | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Section 4 of the Ministerial Circular states that compulsory education concerns the age group between 6 and 16 years. Consequently, the age of compulsory schooling is above the minimum age for admission to work which is set to 15 years. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1967-11-06 | C138 & C182 | Presidential Decree on Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 protecting the work of children and adolescents - Article 1. b), Article 6. 1. and Annex 1 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree on Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 protecting the work of children and adolescents","source_link":"https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1967-10-17;977~art6"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | While Article 1. b) defines an adolescent as a person below the age of 18 years, Article 6. 1. prohibits the employment of adolescents in activities, processes and jobs listed in Annex I. This later includes activities involving exposure to physical agents and biological agents as well as processes and works deemed hazardous. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1967-11-06 | C138 & C182 | Presidential Decree on Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 protecting the work of children and adolescents - Article 1. b), Article 6. 1. and Annex 1 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree on Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 protecting the work of children and adolescents","source_link":"https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1967-10-17;977~art6"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | While Article 1. b) defines an adolescent as a person below the age of 18 years, Article 6. 1. prohibits the employment of adolescents in activities, processes and jobs listed in Annex I, which may be considered hazardous works. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1964-05-14 | C138 | Decree of the President of the Republic determining light work in which children of at least 14 years of age may be employed, pursuant to art. 4 of Law No. 977 of 17 October 1967, on the protection of the work of children and adolescents | [{"link_name":"Decree of the President of the Republic determining light work in which children of at least 14 years of age may be employed","source_link":"https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/atto/serie_generale/caricaDettaglioAtto/originario?atto.dataPubblicazioneGazzetta=1971-03-15&atto.codiceRedazionale=071U0036&elenco30giorni=false"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | The Decree provides with a list of light works allowed to children aged at least 14 years. It includes : administrative works; delivery boy and boy work; collaboration in retail sales; home delivery service; work as a waiter's assistant and room service, door service, car calling and carrying out small commissions in hotel and public establishments; barber shop assistant jobs. However, the decree does not specify the hour conditions under which such work may be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1967-10-17 | C138 | Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 on protection of the work of children and adolescents - Article 4 | [{"link_name":"Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 on protection of the work of children and adolescents","source_link":"https://olympus.uniurb.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=304:legge-17-ottobre-1967-n-977-tutela-del-lavoro-dei-fanciulli-e-degli-adolescenti&catid=5&Itemid=137#:~:text=977%20%2D%20Tutela%20del%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e%20degli%20adolescenti.&text=Il%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e,hanno%20compiuto%20i%2015%20anni."}] | 14 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Article 4 states that, in derogation to the minimum age for admission to work, children aged 14 years and over may be employed in light work that is compatible with the specific needs of health protection and does not entail a violation of compulsory schooling and provided that they are not assigned to work at night and on holidays. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1967-10-17 | C138 | Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 on the Protection of the work of children and adolescents - Article 3 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree on Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 protecting the work of children and adolescents","source_link":"https://olympus.uniurb.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=304:legge-17-ottobre-1967-n-977-tutela-del-lavoro-dei-fanciulli-e-degli-adolescenti&catid=5&Itemid=137#:~:text=977%20%2D%20Tutela%20del%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e%20degli%20adolescenti.&text=Il%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e,hanno%20compiuto%20i%2015%20anni."}] | 15 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article 3 of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to apprenticeship to 15 years. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1967-10-17 | C138 | Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 on the protection of the work of children and adolescents - Article 3 | [{"link_name":"Law 17 October 1967, n. 977 on the protection of the work of children and adolescents","source_link":"https://olympus.uniurb.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=304:legge-17-ottobre-1967-n-977-tutela-del-lavoro-dei-fanciulli-e-degli-adolescenti&catid=5&Itemid=137#:~:text=977%20%2D%20Tutela%20del%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e%20degli%20adolescenti.&text=Il%20lavoro%20dei%20fanciulli%20e,hanno%20compiuto%20i%2015%20anni."}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article 3 of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to work to 15 years. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 07-JUN-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 28-JUL-1981 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted at Unaccompanied Foreign Minors aged 16 years and over, and young migrants up to 23 years old, the Project includes training, career guidance, mentoring, skills certification, and six-month non-curricular internships. Its Phase IV was launched in 2022, with 1,500 individual pathways activated in the five target regions of the Complementary Operational “Legality” Programme (POC), whose objective is to strengthen the legal framework for citizens and businesses in the five least developed regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Apulia, and Sicily), in order to boost economic development and improve social cohesion in southern Italy. Final internships are expected to be completed by May 2025. | [{"link_name":"-Percorsi Project New","source_link":"https://integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Dettaglio-approfondimento/id/39/Minori-stranieri-non-accompagnati-Progetto-Percorsi-4"},{"link_name":"-POC \u201cLegality\u201d","source_link":"https://ponlegalita.interno.gov.it/poc-legalit%C3%A0"}] | 2022 | Percorsi Project New - Phase IV | Ministry of Labour and Social Policy |
| The Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021, establishing the European Child Guarantee, aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by ensuring that children in need have access to essential services. This initiative supports children's rights by addressing child poverty and promoting equal opportunities. The recommendation outlines proposals for Member States regarding key services, including early childhood education and care, inclusive education and school-based activities (including a nutritious meal each school day), medical care, healthy nutrition, and adequate housing. It applies to all children under 18 years who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In response to the Council Recommendation and in alignment with previously adopted strategic guidelines, Italy has developed a national action plan for the implementation of the Child Guarantee. The main goals identified by the Plan include : Extending the infrastructure of the local system of public services, enhancing the relationship with the social private sector and associations with respect for each other’s roles and competences; Promoting consultation, co-design and shared programming between institutions and between stakeholders, both in a horizontal and vertical dimension; Giving priority to strengthening prevention in the various areas; Always putting the child at the centre, not considering the various areas of a minor’s life as separate, but as part of a unicum that needs an overall view; Putting in place and building new integrated service models characterised by the encounter between professional and institutional cultures that can dialogue with one other, enhancing the collective and community dimension; Promoting and supporting effective synergies with the aim of providing continuity of action; ; Investing in the socio-economic measurability of the policies undertaken and the interventions to give value to the investment in the future that NAP carries out. | [{"link_name":"NAP","source_link":"https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=25488&langId=en"}] | No information | National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Child Guarantee (NAP) | Inter-ministerial Steering Committees |
| The plan aims at giving priority, in the country's policies, to programmes dedicated to the rights and development of children. It was built around three main topics which are education, equity and empowerment policies. The plan's main goals include : To ensure every child's right to education from birth; To develop co-responsibility between schools, students and families; To fight extreme poverty among children; To advocate for a public and integrated system of services for care and protection; To protect children from any risks of abuse; To develop a new form of participation of children, To improve the responsiveness of health systems to conditions of vulnerability; To contribute to the construction and strengthening of the education community. | [{"link_name":"5th National Plan of action and interventions for the protection of the rights and development of developmental age","source_link":"https://www.minori.gov.it/sites/default/files/idi_quintopianoazione_220725-2.pdf"}] | 2022-2023 | 5th National Plan of action and interventions for the protection of the rights and development of developmental age | Family Policy Department |
| In a Direct Request published in 2024, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) took note of "the Su.Pr.Eme Italia Programme, which falls within the scope of the three-year plan to combat labour exploitation in agriculture and gang mastering, and aims to establish an Integrated Extraordinary Plan of interventions to combat and overcome all forms of serious exploitation and marginalization and vulnerability of migrant workers in the locations presenting the greatest difficulty in the five Regions of southern Italy on which the initiative is focused. The five areas of intervention are housing, work, services, integration and governance. The Committee also takes note of the P.I.U. Su.Pr.Eme project (personalized pathways out of exploitation), which aims to establish an interregional system action to implement measures for the social and labour integration of migrants to prevent and combat labour exploitation in agriculture.". Although the programme does not target children alone, the CEACR mentioned it as part of the government's overall initiative to identify and reach children at risk, particularly unaccompanied migrant and refugee children. In that sense, the Committee also note the Government's indication "that it has renewed the SIM Unaccompanied Minor Information System to protect minors from exploitation. The SIM monitors the presence of unaccompanied minors, tracing their movements within Italy and managing their identity information, status and location.". The monitoring of unaccompanied foreign minors has been strengthened through a monthly dashboard and semi-annual reports published by the Ministry of Labour. As of 30 April 2025, 16,274 unaccompanied foreign minors (UAMs) were registered, 86.8% male and 56.8% aged 17. The main countries of origin are Egypt, Ukraine, Gambia, Tunisia, and Guinea, while the main hosting regions are Sicily, Lombardy, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio. In addition, it is worth noting that, Su.Pr.Eme. 2 has been launched, funded by Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), to ensure continuity with previous projects. It focuses on the regions of Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Apulia, and Sicily. It includes measures for third-country nationals who are victims or potential victims of labor exploitation, with special care for unaccompanied minors and referral to dedicated services (training, job orientation). | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4345922,102709:NO"}] | No information | Su.Pr.Eme Italia Programme | Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, Directorate-General for Immigration |