ITALIANS began voting today on referendums that would make it easier for children born in Italy to foreigners to obtain citizenship and on providing more job protections.

But apparent low public awareness risks making the vote invalid if turnout is not high enough.

Campaigners for the change in the citizenship law say it will help second-generation Italians born in the country to non-European Union parents better integrate into a culture they already see as theirs.

The new rules, if passed, could affect about 2.5 million foreign nationals who still struggle to be recognised as citizens.

The measures were proposed by Italy’s main union and left-wing opposition parties.

Premier Giorgia Meloni has said she would show up at the polls but not cast a ballot, which will not help reach the necessary threshold level.

Supporters say this reform would bring Italy’s citizenship law in line with many other European countries, promoting greater social integration for long-term residents. It would also allow faster access to civil and political rights, such as the right to vote, eligibility for public employment.

Selam Tesfaye, a campaigner with the Milan-based human rights group Il Cantiere said foreigners are “victims of blackmail, as they can’t speak up against poor working conditions, exploitation and discrimination, due to the precariousness of the permit of stay.”