Eurofound
New bill regulates strikes in public services
27 March 1999
In March 1999, the Italian cabinet approved a bill amending the law on
strikes in essential public services. The new law, if approved by parliament,
would extend regulations on the right to strike to non-dependent categories
of worker and increase the prerogatives of the Guarantee Authority, the body
which guarantees the enforcement of the law.
Agreement signed on relaunch of textiles sector in Southern Italy
27 March 1999
In March 1999, the sectoral employers' organisation and trade unions signed
an agreement aimed at relaunching the textiles industry in the South of
Italy. The most innovative aspects of the agreement concern the relaunch of
investment, the fight against undeclared employment, vocational training, and
the role of social partners in fostering development.
Government intervention reopens banking talks
27 March 1999
In March 1999, the Italian government intervened in a major dispute which had
broken out over the negotiation of a new collective agreement for the banking
sector. Talks had broken down, a strike had been held and others called, and
companies had refused to make various payments and promotions provided for in
the existing agreement Following the intervention, negotiations restarted,
the strikes were called off and employers resumed the disputed payments.
Programme of work for 1999
24 February 1999
This document gives a summary of the activities planned by the Foundation in 1999, within the framework of its four-year rolling programme 1997-2000, ‘Facing up to the challenges of European society’.
Communiqué (1/99)
24 February 1999
Communiqué is the newsletter of the Foundation. It is published 10 times per year and provides up-to-date news and information on the Foundation's work and research. The January/February issue contains the following articles: Gender report; EMU; Linking welfare and work; Green companies; and Stress at Work.
Communiqué (6/99)
19 February 1999
Communiqué is the newsletter of the Foundation It is published 10 times per year and provides up-to-date news and information on the Foundation's work and research. The July-August issue contains the following articles: the Finnish Presidency; EPOC report; new incentives for sustainability; IREC conference.
Holiday working controversy
27 November 1998
Closely related to the current Sunday working controversy (AT9811111N [1]) is
that of working on religious holidays, most prominently the long-running
dispute over keeping shops open on 8 December (the day of the Immaculate
Conception). This Catholic holiday has been under attack from shopkeepers for
years, particularly but not exclusively in border areas, because shoppers use
the holiday for excursions to Bavaria, Italy and Hungary. Manufacturing
sectors are not involved in this dispute, as here establishments have been
facing fewer and fewer difficulties in obtaining trade union consent for work
on Sundays and holidays and, citing technological necessity, have always been
able to run continuous production processes. As in the case of Sunday
working, the shopkeepers' vocal opponents are the trade unions and the
Catholic church, though a significant group of the shopkeepers themselves
would prefer competitors not to have any choice about staying closed. The
Union of Salaried Employees (Gewerkschaft der Privatangestellten, GPA), in
unison with the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, AK), has been adamant that
opening on religious holidays or, for that matter, on Sundays or even
Saturday afternoons does not increase turnover.
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/sunday-working-controversy-resurfaces
A programme for 1997 – 2000: Facing up to the challenges of European society
27 November 1997
Globalization of the market, the impact of the information society, demographic and structural change and a persistently high level of unemployment; together these factors are placing unprecedented pressure on the economic and social structure of the European Union. In this context, the Foundation has examined the contribution it can make to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions as we move toward the 21st century. Employment will be the key focus for its future work.
The government crisis and the reaction of the social partners
27 October 1997
In October 1997, the Italian Government was thrown into crisis over its
attempts to push the 1998 Budget through Parliament. Trade union and
employers' organisations had approved the Budget and called for an end to the
political crisis, which was resolved in mid-month.