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INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, OTHER EC POSTS, PEKING
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14/10
14/2
YOUR TELNO 653 (NOT TO ALL): HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
SUMMARY
1. ITALIAN MFA CONFIRM THAT ITALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED AN
ADMINISTRATIVE DEVICE DESIGNED TO GIVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF ITALIAN COMPANIES IN HONG KONG. THIS FACILITY LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE FOR 'SEVERAL HUNDRED HEADS OF FAMILIES'.
DETAIL
2. WE RAISED THE REPORTS IN TUR WITH FERRI, HEAD OF ASIAN POLITICAL DEPARTMENT IN THE ITALIAN MFA. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY INTRODUCED AN ADMINISTRATIVE DEVICE WHICH WOULD PERMIT ITALIAN COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG TO GUARANTEE A RIGHT OF ABODE IN ITALY TO CERTAIN OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
3. FERRI SAID THE MECHANISM INVOLVED WAS COMPLEX AND DELIBERATELY LOW-KEY, TO AVOID ANY CONTROVERSY WITH THE CHINESE OR IN THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT. THE PURPOSE OF INTRODUCING AN ADMINISTRATIVE DEVICE RATHER THAN A LAW WAS TO AVOID THE NEED TO SECURE PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL (WHICH MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN, GIVEN CURRENT DOMESTIC SENSITIVITIES OVER IMMIGRATION).
4. FERRI DESCRIBED THE MECHANISM AS FOLLOWS. THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED ITALIAN COMPANIES IN HONG KONG TO DRAW UP ITALIAN-BASED CONTRACTS (IE OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED BY THE ITALIAN MINISTRIES OF LABOUR AND THE INTERIOR) FOR CERTAIN OF THEIR SKILLED LONGER-TERM EMPLOYEES (NOT NECESSARILY JUST MIDDLE OR SENIOR MANAGEMENT: AN EXPERIENCED PERSONAL ASSISTANT MIGHT ALSO QUALIFY). COMPANIES HAD DISCRETION TO CHOOSE APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES, IN CONSULTATION WITH ITALIAN THE CONSUL-GENERAL.THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO MAKE THE EMPLOYEES ITALIAN-BASED RATHER THAN LOCALLY-BASED. THEY WOULD THEREFORE HAVE AN AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF ABODE IN ITALY SHOULD THEY WISH TO LEAVE HONG KONG. HAVING ARRIVED IN ITALY ON WORKING RATHER THAN TOURIST VISAS, THEY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO RESIDENCE AND WORKING PERMITS, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BRING IN THEIR FAMILIES.
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