Hey Italians, don't take this the wrong way, but maybe the problem is not Italy, because I've done consulting for Italian companies at much higher rates than that.

Granted, this was in 2009, but I was billing back then over 1500€ a week for web development (Python) to a couple of Italian companies. Tax-free too. Remotely. And I'm only semi-fluent in the language.

I also know quite a few Italians working remotely for American companies. Heck, I'm currently working with a guy from Bari and I know for a fact the American company we're both working with pays him six figures.