No sólo el INPS, también los Carabinieri buscan especialistas de forma gratuita: las bandas de la Arma para reclutar médicos gratis

The Italian Carabinieri have issued multiple calls for specialists, cardiologists, dentists, and other medical professionals, to work on a voluntary basis for free starting in 2027. These announcements, published by several regional commands between June and July, highlight a growing trend of recruiting highly qualified individuals without offering financial compensation. The practice has been repeated over the past two years, with similar calls previously made by the Lombardy and Veneto regions in 2024 and others in 2025. The latest notices, which include detailed criteria for selection, reflect a continued reliance on unpaid expertise to support public health services within the military police force. The most recent call for volunteers was issued by the Friuli Venezia Giulia command, which seeks to identify external healthcare professionals to provide specialized services throughout 2027. The announcement explicitly states that selected candidates will perform their duties “at no cost,” emphasizing that the collaboration is temporary and unpaid. The process involves evaluating applicants based on a scoring system that considers professional experience, prior involvement with the Carabinieri, and academic publications. Candidates must hold a medical degree, a specialization diploma, and at least three years of registration with their professional association following certification. A parallel call was published by the Ligurian command, which is seeking eight specialists. While two positions offer some form of remuneration, the remaining six require service without payment. For instance, a psychiatrist position includes a modest stipend, whereas roles such as cardiologist and dentist demand approximately 104 hours of work annually without any financial reward. The disparity in pay structures among the roles is not explained in the official documents, raising questions about the rationale behind such distinctions. This pattern of unpaid recruitment is not new. In 2024, the Lombardy and Veneto commands issued similar calls for medical experts, and in 2025, similar announcements appeared on the websites of other regional commands, including the Emilia-Romagna region. Each time, the request centers on securing high-level professionals who can contribute a specified number of hours per year, often without receiving any salary. This approach appears to be part of a broader strategy to supplement staffing shortages in certain areas of public health, particularly in regions facing budget constraints. The situation has drawn comparisons to the recent controversy involving the Italian National Institute for Social Security (Inps), which faced criticism for issuing a call for graphic designers working without pay. The Inps case sparked public debate, highlighting concerns about the ethical implications of using unpaid labor. Similarly, the Carabinieri’s current efforts raise questions about transparency and fairness, especially given the high level of expertise required for these roles. Some observers suggest that the lack of financial incentives could deter potential candidates, particularly in fields where alternative employment opportunities exist. Despite these challenges, the Carabinieri continue to rely on this model, possibly due to limited resources and the need to maintain operational capacity. The absence of clear guidelines regarding compensation and the varying conditions across different regions further complicates the issue. As the deadline for submissions approaches, the success of these calls will depend on whether enough qualified professionals choose to volunteer their time and skills. Whether this approach proves sustainable or becomes a more widespread practice remains to be seen.