Nominations are once again open for the “Star of Merit for Labour” for 2027 and must be submitted to the Consulate General of Italy in London no later than 20 November 2026.
Please note the following requirements:
- The honour is reserved for employees of public or private companies operating in the industry, commerce and agriculture sectors (Article 1 of Law No. 143 of 5 February 1992);
- Candidates must be at least 50 years old on the date on which the nomination is formally submitted (Article 3);
- The honour may be awarded to workers who have completed at least twenty-five years of documented, continuous employment with one or more Italian or foreign companies, provided that any move from one company to another was not the result of misconduct on the employee’s part (Article 4);
- The above length-of-service requirement does not apply in cases where the honour is awarded posthumously (Article 2), nor to Italian workers abroad who have demonstrated exemplary patriotism, dedication to work and integrity (Article 5). In the latter case, these qualities must be supported by a separate, detailed and duly substantiated statement issued by the relevant Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office.
Nominations for the 2027 award must be accompanied by the following documentation, submitted as one original copy plus one clear and legible photocopy:
a) a curriculum vitae, in Italian, signed by the candidate and providing information on the merits acquired during their working life, civilian life and, where applicable, military service;
b) a certificate of service from each employer (i.e. a “letter of reference”; if issued in English, an Italian translation must also be provided), confirming not only the length of each period of employment but also the candidate’s exemplary conduct in the workplace, dedication to work and integrity;
c) a self-declaration certifying the candidate’s birth and citizenship (click here);
d) a General Certificate of Criminal Records, issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office with jurisdiction over the candidate’s municipality of birth. Candidates born abroad must request the certificate from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome.
All documents must have been issued after 1 October 2026. Where a nomination has already been submitted in previous years, the entire set of documentation must be submitted again.
Nominations may not be submitted by the candidate personally or by one of their relatives. They must instead be put forward by persons with direct knowledge of the merits acquired by the candidate during their working life.
In order to promote equal opportunities, particular consideration will be given to nominations from women, who remain under-represented among recipients of the honour. It should also be noted that at least 50% of the “Star of Merit for Labour” honours available to Italian workers abroad must be awarded to individuals who began their careers at the lowest contractual grades.
Applicants and nominators are also invited to view the video produced by the Directorate General for Italians Abroad and Migration Policies, available at the following link:
For further information or assistance with the documentation to be submitted, you may also contact the Associazione Maestri del Lavoro:
Mr Sergio Cappello
Mob. 07711 090289
Email: sergio.cappello@ntlworld.com
THE ACTING CONSUL
Rossella GENTILE
