Italy in line with EU law

Work and residence permits will be granted to migrants who blow the whistle on bosses who exploit them, according to a decree approved Friday by Italian Premier Mario Monti's cabinet. The decree is aimed at bringing Italy into line with European law on penalties for employers who hire undocmented migrants. The provision gives additional bite to existing sanctions. The draft decree also increases penalties for those who hire more than three undocumented migrants, hire minors or have working conditions that are particularly harsh. In these more extreme cases, an exploited worker who collaborates with the justice system will be rewarded with a six-month permit renewable for one or more years. Employers will be given a brief amount of time to align their workplaces with the law, but face possible fines of around 1,000 euros.