November 29 is approaching and with it a major union mobilization. The wage emergency has become a crucial issue for millions of workers in Italy, as highlighted by the general secretary of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini. During a recent press conference, he underlined the urgency of addressing wage increases and contract renewals as fundamental elements to build a new economic and social model.
Landini highlighted a worrying fact: almost 6 million Italian workers earn less than 11 thousand euros a year. This scenario is at the center of union demands. The secretary stated that “increasing wages is essential to promote a new way of doing business” and to restore the centrality of work and people. However, he criticized the government’s measures, arguing that they go in the opposite direction, creating the conditions for a possible deterioration of the country’s economic situation.
“For everyone there is a need for contract renewals that guarantee real protection and possibly an increase in purchasing power.” Landini expressed particular concern about the 2022-2024 contract for state employees, which was not signed by the CGIL. He said that “it is not a fair agreement”, since the wage increase proposed by the government is only 6%, while inflation has reached 17%. This disparity represents a structural loss for workers.
The leader of the Cgil also highlighted the current complexity of employment contracts, suggesting the need to “reduce them, simplify them and in some cases merge them”. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of arriving at a law on union representation. Finally, regarding the upcoming strike, Landini stressed that this action reflects a deep unease among workers. Losing a day of work is never an easy decision; however, it is motivated by the need to address inequalities and promote real growth for the country.
The debate on the wage emergency is just one aspect of the broader discussion on how to reform the Italian economy. The mobilization of November 29 could mark the beginning of a significant change in the national labor landscape. The challenge now is to find concrete solutions that bring the value of work and the well-being of citizens back to the center.
Crisis in the Negotiation for the Metalworking Contract Negotiations between Federmeccanica-Assistal and the Fiom, Fim and Uilm unions for the renewal of the 2024/2027 national collective agreement for metalworkers have come to a halt.
A Q&A on Workers' Rights The recent economic maneuver has triggered a heated controversy between Giorgia Meloni’s government and the unions, with a heated confrontation between the prime minister and the secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein.