The Italian government is proposing to re-open the quoti flussi a controlled legalisation system for immigrants from countries outside the European Union. The quota is set annually for immigrants who are living illegally in the country who may apply to be given legal status. This year the quota was set by the last government at 170,000 people and in February immigrants queued outside post offices all over Italy to make their application, in the end 485,000 immigrants applied to be regularised. The new government has decided that all the applications made in February will be carefully screened and many of those who applied in February but were outside the quota will be given a regular residence permit. Those asking for a permit must have a job somewhere to live and no criminal record. The opposition is protesting about the large increase in the numbers of immigrants to be legalised but employers, particularly in the north east of Italy, are asking the government for more workers