Basic income only for Italians - Di Maio

(ANSA) - Rome, January 3 - The government's new universal basic income for the poor and job seekers is only aimed at Italian citizens, Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Thursday.
    Di Maio denied reports it would also go to some 250,000 immigrants who have been in Italy for at least five years.
    "The law, as we have always said, concerns a basic income for those that are Italian citizens", said the leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which rules Italy with the anti-migrant Euroskeptic League party of Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini.
    Di Maio said "the aim is to give (the income) to Italians and those who have been here for a long time and who have made a major contribution to our country.
    "So we're not talking about the five years that were in the draft of the decree, which must be changed.
    "The goal is to give it to Italians.
    "The 5-year 'long stay' qualification for foreign citizens will be changed".