Minimum wage rejected by the government: "Risk of downward contracts"

Labor Minister Marina Elvira Calderone has firmly reiterated her opposition to the introduction of a minimum wage of 9 euros per hour, a measure strongly supported by the opposition and relaunched by Elly Schlein.

The proposal is deemed " inadequate " because, the minister claims, it would stiffen wage dynamics and reduce the value of collective bargaining.

Calderone spoke from the stage at the Open Festival in Parma, the same stage from which the PD leader had spoken the day before.

According to the head of Labor, setting a rigid threshold would have the paradoxical effect of flattening wages .

This is what the minister said about the minimum wage:

This is an absolutely inadequate response. If we were to set the minimum contractual wage at €9 per hour, the risk would be significant. We would be crippling wage dynamics, which currently relies on the ability of social partners to renew contracts and intervene at all levels of the agreement. The danger is that the opposite will happen: contracts will be terminated and employers, knowing there is a legally established minimum, will simply apply the €9.

And again: Minister Calderone recalled how, in her opinion,

The value of the collective agreement is not limited to hourly wages alone, but includes additional provisions, guarantees, supplementary funds and supplementary pensions.

The minister instead emphasized the importance of investing in contract renewals , many of which are long-awaited, and the effectiveness of bargaining as a tool for improving workers' conditions.

Not just the minimum wage: Calderone also touched on the hot topics of the upcoming Budget Law . Among the options under consideration is the possibility of early retirement at 64 for those in strenuous jobs , with a strengthening of supplementary pension provision starting with the youngest.

However, there is caution in the choices:

We must be aware that life expectancy is increasing, and therefore people can remain active for longer periods. […] We can do some things, but we need to understand what the priorities are.

Regarding youth employment, the minister acknowledged the need for targeted interventions and also highlighted the growth of proximity contracts:

In the first half of the year, 150,000 were registered with the ministry, affecting 5 million workers. This means supplementary wages and improved contractual conditions.

A passage could not be missed on the Citizen's Income , replaced by the Inclusion Allowance with the current Government:

Making the courageous decision to eliminate it was the first move that gave the Ministry of Labor a boost. Assistance should never be an end in itself. It must be a journey of support. We believe that every person has a talent: that's why we can't tell someone, right from the start, to give up their opportunity to contribute and fulfill themselves.

In this regard, Calderone announced that 1.5 million people will need to be put to work in the coming months.

Finally, a focus on one of the most sensitive issues: workplace safety . Calderone recalled how his ministry has strengthened the Labor Inspectorate's staff, with the highest number of hires since 2015.

View this post on Instagram