Italian city forces Kafkaesque means testing for non-EU children

On 12 September, just as school was starting, the far right mayor of Lodi, from the League party, Sara Casanova signed an amendment on access to social welfare. The amendment means parents from outside the EU now need to prove their assets both in Italy and in their home countries in order to access the lowest rates for school canteens and buses. Italian families are only required to provide a self-declaration.

Non-EU families have to produce original documents from their country of origin, as well as certified translations from consulates or embassies, certifying that they do not own any assets in their home country. If they fail to provide these documents, they are automatically charged the highest rate for school meals (5 euros) and the school bus service. Also, children who take a packed lunch are forced to eat in isolation in their classrooms.

Between 200 and 300 children of foreign parents are thought to be affected by the resolution. Many families have protested against this decision by keeping their children at home, while others have taken their children home at lunchtime.

Widespread solidarity shown

The resolution has drawn fierce criticism from those who say it unfairly punishes children, especially for those whose parents fled their home countries without taking anything with them, or are unable to obtain documents from countries in crisis or under hostile regimes.

Education Minister Marco Bussetti warned that "children should never be exploited" and called on Lodi's City Council to find an alternative solution. Filomena Albano, the Italian Ombudsman for children’s rights, said that excluding children from the canteen was a breach of their human rights, and called for them to be readmitted immediately.

Crowdfunding has already raised enough to cover fees until the end of the year

Coordinamento Uguali Doveri, which brings together foreign families in Lodi, reacted to the resolution by promoting a demonstration with the theme “All children are equal” and launched a crowdfunding campaign that has raised 140,000 euros to help pay for school lunches for pupils in Lodi.

After more than 2,000 people donated to the fundraiser, the organizers paused their appeal for donations, saying that the money already raised will cover children's lunch and bus fees until at least the end of the year.