Quando avere un lavoro non basta: deprivazione e lavoro povero.

The essay analyzes the phenomenon of working poverty in Italy, starting from the increase in absolute poverty recorded in recent years, especially following the economic crisis that began in 2008. It highlights how, despite a recovery in employment, a growing number of families – particularly foreign ones – are living in poverty despite having an income from work. Data show a significant incidence of the phenomenon in the central and northern regions, with Tuscany among the most affected. The analysis also focuses on the socio-demographic characteristics of the so-called working poor, particularly single mothers and foreign men with dependent families. The study is enriched by data collected from Caritas listening centers and by qualitative interviews that give voice to poor workers, revealing their personal experiences and the daily hardships they face. Working poverty thus emerges as a structural and widespread phenomenon, affecting even well-integrated individuals with stable employment, especially in low-wage sectors and in the presence of significant family burdens.