Gino Bucchino insists Italian government gives his constituents more respect
Gino Bucchino is optimist and calm, but he doesn't mince words. "Up to now we have obtained almost nothing. The problem is that we have to work so hard in order for Italians living abroad to receive adequate attention and recognition from Italy's parliamentary and governmental structures," he says.
Bucchino, deputy of the Italian Ulivo party and the Italian parliamentarian of North America with Salvatore Ferrigno (a deputy of the Italian Forza Italia party) and the senator Renato Guerino Turano, doesn’t use political jargon. He prefers talking about facts. For this reason he considers his first 18 months on the job as a type of testing period, but actually he has accomplished some goals. "Until now politics was concerned with demagogy. Italians living abroad are really a resource and it’s time that this is recognized," says Bucchino. But this isn’t an easy job. First of all the Italian deputies have to change the commonly held belief that the parliamentarians living abroad are at an advantage.
“The Italian parliament considers us aliens. Many deputies, some who belong to our side, say that we are new and we have to pass through the ranks before asking for something. I’m totally faithful to my government and I think that my commitment is to be the spokesman of the needs of Italians living abroad."
The deputies elected abroad have difficulties getting the attention of the Italian government, but Italians living abroad are considered a resource. "We have the same rights that parliamentarians have in Italy. We love our country and we pay taxes, sometimes double the amount of taxes."
Corriere Canadese/Tandem recently interviewed the Honorable Gino Bucchino about his strategies and aspirations.
What goals have you achieved in your first 18 months on the job?
“First of all the ratification of the new bilateral agreement regarding social safety is almost complete. The Canadian government approved it in record time. Italy is late. But the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Massimo D’Alema, committed himself to the issue by writing a letter in which he presents the ratification to Italy's parliament as soon as possible."
Do you have any particular personal goals?
“Yes, the one regarding Ici (Imposta Comunale sugli Immobili " a local council property tax) and the one regarding INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale " an Italian state body that coordinates national insurance funds)." In regards to ICI, a law issued in 1993 establishes that all Italians, including those living abroad, have the same rights and duties regarding the first real estate property tax. But actually Italians living abroad didn’t benefit from the deductions provided for the last financial bill yet. Did they forget the law issued in 1993? I wrote an amendment, which was not included in the financial bill, and an order of the day, which was received in parliament. In addition, I wrote a letter to Minister Padoa-Schioppa. If I do not receive a satisfactory answer, I will contact a superior official. This discrimination has to stop.
Regarding INPS, I’m struggling in order to guarantee seniors the additional pension established by INPS. As of 2001 INPS introduced a type of Christmas bonus for pensioners whose benefits are unknown to Italians living abroad. I wrote a letter to Minister Damiano. If they don’t solve this problem, I will charge INPS because this is an illegality.”
What about teaching the Italian language abroad?
“I signed a bill, which renews the old law (n. 153, 1970) regarding teaching and promoting the Italian language abroad. The Italian language has to be considered a cultural language. Italian immigrants don’t loose their roots; they’re able to transmit the best of their culture and to welcome new cultures. In this way integration becomes interaction. The parliamentarian should pay attention to this need, not only in order to guarantee the rights of Italians living abroad, but also to improve Italy."
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On Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. the Honorable Gino Bucchino will head the conference "The Experience of Italians Living Abroad" at St. Michael’s College (85 Mary Street, on Queen’s Park, Charbonnel Lounge). The conference will be launched by Prof. Bruno Magliocchetti, of the Italian Department at the University of Toronto.
On Jan. 27 at 1.30 p.m. at the Oshawa Italian Recreation Club (245 Simcoe Street, Oshawa) a fundraiser will be held to raise money for The Pink Box, a not-for-profit organization that helps Ecuadorian children. Gino Bucchino is the co-founder of the organization.
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