Figures by the INPS social
security agency showing a strong surge in Italians retiring
early are "a physiological fact due to people deciding to retire
when they meet the conditions to receive an old age pension,"
Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti said Thursday.
"This is something natural enough since one knows that with
the Fornero law the retirement age has grown and if someone has
the possibility to retire after making the contributions he does
so".
Speaking to reporters, Poletti also brushed off criticism
by CGIL labour union federation leader demanding the government
"turn up the tone significantly" to fight sackings and job
lay-offs.
"If it would do any good raising one's voice I would climb
up a tower and scream and we would resolve the problem of
sackings," the minister quipped.
Poletti said the real problem on the labour market is
different. "Over this year we reduced the number of crisis
negotiating tables by half, we closed down very complicated
disputes. And together with the unions we saved so many jobs".
"I believe we have done what we had to," he said.
Poletti also said it is right for the government to leave
it to labour unions and the Confindustria employers' federation
to negotiate reform of the collective bargaining system for
labour contracts.
At stake is the question of productivity and "in the
Stability law we said very clearly what the line is. If the
unions and Confindustria can do it, excellent. If the social
partners are not able to take a decision we will make our
considerations".
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