This article examines the procedures and costs involved in collective redundancies in Italy, as well as current trends and debate in this area, as at November 2003.
In December 2003, the Censis research centre published its annual report on the social situation in Italy. It finds that the labour market is becoming increasingly rigid. Unemployed people are finding it harder to enter the labour market, while those in employment are less likely to leave it or to
A series of studies published in 2003 indicates that Italy’s 'hidden' or irregular economy continues to grow. According to the most recent figures, 3.5 million workers out of a total labour force of around 23.5 million are irregular, a rate of around 15%. The growth of undeclared work is matched by
This article examines the Italian situation, as of September 2003, with regard to works councils and similar workplace employee representation and participation structures. It looks at the regulatory framework, statistical data, evidence on practice and the views of the social partners.
This article examines the Italian situation, as of August 2003, with regard to the implementation and impact of the 2000 EU Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, which seeks to combat discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief
In recent years, 'atypical' work – and particularly 'semi-subordinate' work (midway between dependent employment and self-employment) – has played a key role in employment growth in Italy, accounting for more than 40% of new jobs created. The most important of the non-dependent atypical forms of
This article examines the Italian situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the
In April 2003, nearly 10 years after its adoption, the EU working time Directive was finally transposed fully into Italian law when the cabinet definitively approved legislative decree 66/2003. The new regulations came into force on 29 April. The decree, as well as implementing the Directive, sets
In March 2003, Cgil, the largest Italian trade union confederation, presented four 'voter initiative' bills to parliament, having collected over 5 million signatures in their support. The bills aim to: reform the 'social shock absorbers' and employment protection system; provide greater guarantees
In February 2003, the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved a proposal for a 'proxy law' reforming the social security system, and notably pensions. The key features of the proposed law include the liberalisation of the retirement age, new economic incentives to encourage people of pensionable age to