Calls for Italy to introduce a minimum wage grew louder on Tuesday after the European Commission said that a political agreement had been reached between the European Parliament and the EU Member States on its proposed directive on this issue.
The directive establishes a framework for the adequacy of statutory minimum wages in member states that have them and promotes collective bargaining on wage setting. However, it does not oblige States to introduce a minimum wage. “The new rules on minimum wages will protect the dignity of work and make sure that work pays,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “All of this will be done in full respect of national traditions and social partners’ autonomy.”
Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit stressed at a press conference that “we will not impose a minimum wage on Italy”. A number of bills have been presented to the Italian parliament to introduce a minimum wage, including two for a minimum wage of at least nine euros an hour for people whose jobs are not covered by collective-bargaining contracts. “I am highly confident that the Italian government and the social partners will reach a good agreement to strengthen collective bargaining, especially for the less well protected, and, in the end, they will come to the conclusion that it could be important to introduce a minimum-wage system in Italy. “But it is down to the Italian government and the social partners to do it”.
Agriculture Minister Stefano Patuanelli, a leading member of the 5-Star Movement, said a law for a minimum wage in Italy should be approved before the end of the current parliamentary term next year. Peppe Provenzano of the Democratic Party (PD) said via Twitter that, according to the Constitution, Italy is a republic “founded on labor” and, therefore, “cannot lag” on this issue. Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said the EU had reached a “historic deal” and his 5-Star Movement (M5S), which he formerly led, would work to achieve a deal in the Italian parliament so that a “dignified law for those workers who keep the country moving can be framed”. He said “now the minimum wage must become a reality in Italy where there are still millions of Italians getting wages under nine euros an hour”.
