Mobility procedure

Coverage includes collective dismissals. It applies to companies with more than 15 employees that have made at least five employees redundant, within a period of 120 days. These employees must be within the same production unit or at several production units within the same province.  Coverage is provided for shop-floor and office workers; managerial staff; members of production; and work cooperatives.

A 'mobility procedure' (procedura di mobilità) lasts up to 75 days; it involves examination of the enterprise, trade union, experts, PES of the enterprise's situation and alternatives. Employees to be dismissed according to specific criteria are identified. Following this, redundant workers are placed on the 'mobility list' and are entitled to the mobility allowance if they have 12 months of service (at least six of which must constitute actual work). This equates with the CIGS allowance for the first 12 months, and is then reduced to 80%. Duration of support varies from 12 to 48 months, depending on the age of the worker and location of the enterprise. In addition, regional government may organise retraining for redundant workers. Other companies receive benefits if they employ workers from the 'mobility list' (e.g. reduced social security contributions).

National government
Funding, provided through the National Social Security Institute (Instituto nazionale di previdenza sociale, Inps).

Regional/local government
May offer retraining for redundant workers.

Employers' or employees' organisations
Employer has to send a written notification to the unitary workplace union structure and the trade unions; trade unions may ask for a joint examination of the enterprise's situation.

Public employment services
Employer has to send a written notification to the provincial labour office which must attempt to mediate between the employer and the trade union.

Other
Experts may be involved in the joint examination of the enterprise's situation.

National funds

In 2010, the recourse to mobility allowance increased by 16.8%, when compared to 2009 data.

Strengths include: income support for redundant workers; economic incentives for new employers; involvement of trade unions; and national and regional government involvement.

Weaknesses include: limited coverage of sectors and company size classes; little involvement of PES/active and passive labour market policy; less effectiveness in supporting reemployment and fostering new economic initiatives; and feeble integration between social shock absorbers and active labour market policies.

Motorola; Gambro; Piaggio Aero Industries; Fervet; Telecom Italia.

www.inps.it; www.lavoro.gov.it/Lavoro/md/AreaLavoro/AmmortizzatoriSociali.

Coletto, D. and Pedersini, R. National background paper Italy. Anticipating and managing restructuring in enterprises: 27 national seminars, ARENAS Report. Brussels, European Commission, 2009; www.inps.it; www.lavoro.gov.it/Lavoro/md/AreaLavoro/AmmortizzatoriSociali