Giorgio Squinzi, the head of industrial employers confederation Confindustria, said Wednesday that the current priority must be giving jobs back to Italian people after years of recession, adding that he did not see migrants as the solution to Italy's economic problems. "At the moment, immigration cannot solve our problems," Squinzi said.
"Above all, we need to give work back to Italians. Maybe this vision is a little selfish, but we must start giving a future to our youngsters again".
Clashes broke out between migrants and police on Wednesday at the border between Serbia and Hungary, where thousands of immigrants are seeking passage through Hungary to reach countries in northern Europe.
Hungary has erected a barbed wire metal fence to block the immigrants from entering the country, and on Wednesday a group of exasperated migrants began throwing rocks at police and putting covers over the barbed wire to try to tear the fence down.
Hungary increased its police presence there, bringing in officers in riot gear.
Hungarian police said they have arrested 316 migrants following the implementation on Tuesday of new, more restrictive laws limiting passage into the country.
Out of 70 requests for asylum presented thus far, 40 have already been rejected, police said, adding that around 200,000 migrants and refugees have crossed Hungary since the beginning of the year. Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic visited the border crossing on Tuesday evening and said he plans to contact Hungarian authorities to try to find a solution.
Meanwhile, buses of immigrants arrived at Serbia's Croatian border town Sid, confirming that immigrants are now searching for alternatives to the Hungarian border crossing.
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said that around 150 immigrants arrived in Croatia from Serbia overnight, and that he will allow immigrants to enter the country.
"Croatia is absolutely able to welcome and direct these people towards the countries they want to reach, such as Germany and other Scandinavian countries," Milanovic said, adding that Croatia intends to help immigrants fleeing war and poverty.
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