On 24 October 2003, Italy’s main trade union organisations held a one-day general strike to protest against the government's 2004 state budget law and its proposals for the reform of the pension system. Estimates of the proportion of workers who took part in the action vary from 70% to 30%,
In September 2003, the Isfol research institute presented a report which highlights the problems of the Italian training system. Some 60% of the working population has completed only compulsory education, the school drop-out rate is the highest in Europe and only 25% of companies organise training
In September 2003, the Italian government approved the 2004 state budget law, which provides for EUR 16 billion worth of spending cuts and new revenue-generating measures. While employers' organisations have responded cautiously to the law, trade unions are harshly critical of the budget and a
In September 2003, more than 600 officials of Cgil, one of Italy's three main trade union confederations, met and approved a document addressed to Cgil’s executive, calling for a debate on the organisation's direction and decisions. The 'reformist' group is concerned about matters such as a
In September 2003, Italy’s Guarantee Authority on strikes in essential public services set out rules to be observed by public sector workers in the event of a general strike called by trade union confederations. The rules cover matters such as the provision of minimum services and were drawn up with
A new national collective agreement for the Italian insurance sector was signed in July 2003. As well as pay increases, the agreement contains a number of innovatory provisions, including: the creation of a national observatory on bullying, the establishment of a fund for the care of disabled
Two national collective agreements for workers in the Italian tourism sector were signed in July 2003. The agreements' main provisions include an 11.5% wage increase over four years, the introduction of a supplementary health insurance scheme and the enhancement of decentralised bargaining.
In July 2003, the municipality of Rome and the local employers' organisation, the Industrialists’ Union, signed an agreement to increase women’s presence in the city's information and communications technology (ICT) companies and improve the skills and qualifications of women already employed in the
In July 2003, a new national collective agreement was signed for the 270,000 workers in the Italian food and beverages sector. As well as providing for a pay increase of 6.55% over two years, the agreement strengthens joint industrial relations structures, with a new joint body in charge of training
In July 2003, a new national collective agreement for Italy's 200,000 postal workers was signed by Poste Italiane SpA and sectoral trade unions. The deal provides for a 7.5%. pay increase over two years, as well as introducing a new job classification system and greater flexibility in working time