Subsidies for owners to support rental housing for students

TARANTO - "At the meeting with the university minister Anna Maria Bernini, we will propose tax incentives for property owners who rent to students, who are the future of our country."

The General Secretary of Uil Rua, Attilio Bombardieri, announced in an interview with Gazzetta his intention to propose a concrete solution to help students find accommodation in Italian cities.

However, there are still many issues on the Uil secretariat's table that the education sector, universities, and research have not yet resolved, such as the new national education contract proposed by Aran to all unions last July.

Bombardieri, your organization was the only one that did not sign a preliminary contract since the creation of the Cigl, Cisl, and Uil confederation. Do you still hold your position?

“Yes, there are too many aspects we disagree on. Two issues have been postponed, such as the research contract under the national contract and the creation of a technologist position, which is not included in the new contract. Therefore, new technologists hired for a fixed term at universities under Pnrr will not be able to be stabilized, even if they want to, and these are highly qualified individuals. I would also add that the contract was supposed to create a new system for research organizations in Italy, but the page presented by Aran was empty. If there are no changes, our position will not change, and we will not even sign the final contract.”

As for researchers, the second edition of the Italian Scientific Fund of the Ministry of Education will request up to 600 euros for those who want to have their foreign academic degrees recognized, including professors and associate professors.

“This is unacceptable. Imagine, for example, someone who has completed their doctorate at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, at Oxford: we are forcing them to pay to have their degree recognized, which seems insane to me. The degree is valid in itself; it cannot become valid just because I pay. This means imposing a tax on culture and demonstrates that there is no real political will to bring researchers back from abroad.”

In the budget bill approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, the government proposes to reduce tax benefits for scientific professions from 70 to 50 percent. What is your opinion on this, Uil?

“The government is creating rules for the return of those who left the country, but it does not guarantee them a valid contract. By reducing such resources, we are not encouraging the return of scientists, but only worsening the situation.”

In the budget project, the government also asked all ministries to reduce their expenses by 5 percent if each department does not submit a spending review plan by December 31.

“When it comes to cutting expenses for ministries, it all leads to a reduction in services for citizens and students, as well as cuts to technical and administrative staff. If we talk about the Ministry of Education, then everyone, from teachers to staff and researchers, will face a reduction in the additional part of their salary, meaning we are punishing the weakest link in the chain.”

Students are also not in the best situation; they have been protesting for several months, setting up their tents in front of universities. They complain about the lack of dormitory spaces and that apartment owners prefer to rent them out for short terms, which leads to an increase in room prices. What solutions do you propose?

“Students are protesting because the government is not providing answers. It cannot be said that owners of secondary housing should be required to rent out a room; they have the right to private property, and that seems paradoxical to me. The reality is that it is necessary to increase investments to expand the number of places in student dormitories. Additionally, we have requested a meeting with the minister, and at this meeting, we will propose a concrete solution: to provide tax incentives, for example, at a rate of 20 percent, to owners who rent their properties to students. With lower taxation, they will be more inclined to rent to students, which can help them find accommodation. Finally, we have been demanding the removal of the limit on the number of students for three years now. The response that there are not enough funds is not acceptable: resources must be invested in infrastructure and hiring teachers. Students are the future of our country.”