Less than a third of eligible voters turned out for a poll that would have made it easier for foreigners to become citizens, and strengthened labor rights.

Sonny Olumati was born in Rome and has lived in Italy all his life but the country he calls home does not recognise him as its own.To Italy, Sonny is Nigerian, like his passport, and the 39-year-old is only welcome as long as his latest residence permit.

Italy’s referendums aimed at relaxing citizenship laws and improving job protections have failed on because of low turnout. That's according to final data on Monday.