Social stratification of migrants in Italy: class reproduction and social mobility from origin to destination

In this work we aim at studying the social stratification of foreign workers in Italy adopting a class-based approach: this perspective allows us to shed light on the transmission of inequality and social mobility (both inter- and intra-generational) from country of origin to destination. We formulate the hypotheses that a low social origin and class position in home country is associated both with poor occupational achievement (Hyp 1) and with scarce chances of upward social mobility (Hyp 2) in the host country. Our results underline a clear class reproduction in the lowest strata of the occupational structure. Furthermore, occupational mobility to upper class (but not to petty bourgeoisie) is easier for who already has a high social position, while who lies at the bottom of the social structure is prevented from improving hisher position also in the host country.