“I express firm condemnation and deep concern for yet another episode of violence that occurred in Schiavonea. These are facts that cannot and must not find any justification: they undermine security, fuel social tensions and put civil coexistence at risk.”
This was stated by the councilor for Social Policies Pasqualina Straface, reiterating closeness to the community of Schiavonea, defenseless victim of the escalation of violence generated by immigrant raids and extending heartfelt thanks to the police for their work in monitoring these episodes.
Calabria is a welcoming land – he adds – but hospitality cannot transform into marginality, overcrowding or informal settlements that become ghettos. It is from there that the social bombs that we are observing these days in Corigliano-Rossano arise. This is why we need a balanced but decisive response: legality, proximity, services, true integration. Not slogans, but concrete work.
In a highly critical context, the Region has put in place structural programs, huge resources and a clear intervention model, which takes into account the role of the Municipalities and third sector bodies operating in the field. The Councilor, by the way, recalls the framework of the operational measures today in Calabria. From the Inte(g)razione (FAMI) program – recalls Pasqualina Straface – for the strengthening of the governance of labor inclusion, and for the support of local public services, to the ToGether(e) projects, in terms of support for ASPs for healthcare services, and Calabria friends, in terms of teaching the Italian language, also with FAMI funds. And then the Su.Pr.Eme project. 2 with interventions in the most fragile areas such as the Piana di Sibari and the Piana di Gioia Tauro, against gangmastering, exploitation, marginal housing and irregularities. An intervention, the latter – underlines the Councilor – divided into a series of services such as the Integrated Social Poles, local territorial centers that intercept needs, provide guidance on services, build personalized inclusion paths; the Integration Budget: an innovative tool to promote emancipation from exploitation and irregular work; Social housing and housing vouchers to overcome informal settlements and guarantee decent living; Transport and social mobility to break the logistical isolation of seasonal workers; finally to professional and self-entrepreneurship paths aimed at migrants, including particular attention to women and minors.
For these strategic lines alone – specifies the Regional Councilor for Social Policies – the Region today manages over 10.8 million euros between FAMI, PN Inclusion and ERDF, destined for integration, housing, prevention of exploitation, strengthening of territorial services and active labor policies.
“This is why faced with what is happening – continues Straface – on the basis of the agreement already in place with the Municipalities of Corigliano-Rossano and Cassano all’Ionio for the Su.Pr.Eme. 2 project, it is necessary to quickly open an operational table with the same bodies to evaluate any further intervention strategies.
It is not enough to react to episodes: we need to plan structured and measurable interventions together. The Region is there, with measures, professionalism and resources. Now is the time to unite efforts and build a clear local strategy, which avoids dangerous concentrations, degradation and gray areas where illegality and conflicts grow.”
“We cannot allow – concludes the Councilor – the creation of ghettos or pockets of invisibility in Calabria. Inclusion is not do-goodism: it is order, security, rights and duties. It is guaranteeing regular work, dignified housing, effective social services and paths to autonomy. This is how tensions are prevented and a stronger community is built. The Region will continue to work on this, with pragmatism, concreteness and a spirit of collaboration”.