• Pay issues

In Italy there isn’t a minimum wage; most workers are covered by agreements; however, judges may establish minimum wages.

• Cassa Integrazione Guadagni

The C.I.G. is  a state fund established in 1954 which helps workers who work for an enterprise in difficulty. In particular it helps industrial, commercial, of small building-enterprises. It also works in case of natural diseases or general crisis.

It mostly works in case of temporary or definitive reduction of the activity and pays up to the 80% of the normal wage of an employer.

This benefit can be paid for up to 13  weeks, with possible renewal for up to 12 months.

• Worker’s protection in case of insolvency

If an enterprise insolves, the employer has to solve the workers’ claims before the employer’s estate; however, he first has to pay creditors.

Act 80 of 1992 improved protection of workers in case of insolvencies; it established a Wage Guarantee Fund which pays some kind of workers’ claims. The payment is limited to three times the ceiling of CIG (which is about € 1335).

• Trade union regulation

The Italian Constitution recognises the right of citizens to associate freely and to join associations or unions. 

It is also established that only the registered ones can  obtain legal status; however a bill regulating the registration of unions has never been adopted. Therefore, in Italy unions do not need any recognition.

Also public employees have the same right, except for military forces (not the Italian Police)

The most common pattern of workers’ unions has local, provincial, regional and national organs (vertical organization). The national unions join together in trade union  federations (horizontal organization).

There are three employers’ federations: industrial,  commercial and artisan. 

Unions are usually financed by workers’ dues.