Italian Premier Matteo Renzi
rolled out a package of reforms to the civil sector on
Wednesday, promising "radical change" that will streamline
agencies and create jobs for as many as 10,000 young people.
"The measure is three-pronged: "human capital, innovation,
and cuts to unnecessary structures," he said, adding that the
reforms will be open for discussion over the next 40 days by
unions and employees.
One day earlier, he said no layoffs were contemplated in
his new reform measures.
On Wednesday he sent similar signals, mentioning that
reforms "against workers have short legs," seeking to calm fears
of redundancies.
But holding older workers to the term limits of their
contracts is something his government is willing to enforce.
Under the package, protections that allow workers above the
retirement age to stay on will be repealed, he said.
That alone will "make room to bring in 10,000 young
people".
The government had previously said it was considering
methods to "modernize" the public service, including offering
early retirement to open up positions and possibly also provide
jobs for young Italians under 25, a demographic where the
jobless rate is more than 42%.
Simplification Minister Marianna Madia said the reform
package may also include measures for early retirements that
could free up at least 15,000 positions.
Other measures in the package include merging agencies to
boost efficiency, touching everything from the country's
sprawling network of museums to police headquarters.
The number of prefectures, for instance, will be cut down
to 40, while agencies dealing with motor vehicles will be
merged.
Renzi also repeated his plan to cap senior managers'
salaries at State-controlled companies at 240,000 euros per
year.
Madia said there "will not be a negotiating table", in the
traditional sense, to discuss the reforms with labor unions.
Instead, she said, there will be "a detailed debate of the
merits of the proposals. I hope (the unions) participate".
Madia had previously said strict deadlines meant union
negotiations were not certain.
Renzi said the reform package will be open for debate for
40 days.
On June 13 it will go to cabinet.
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