Govt to crack down on fake sick leave

(ANSA) - Rome, May 24 - Every year, doctors issue 20 million certificates to employees needing to take sick days, of which six million are handed out to public employees, the Federation of General Practitioners (FIMMG) said Tuesday.
    However among the latter, sick days are most often taken just prior to holidays or weekends. And while illnesses lasting a single day make up 12% of the total in the private sector, they are almost double that amount among public employees (27%). Right now INPS social security and pensions agency is responsible for checking up on private-sector employees who are on sick leave, and local public health authorities (ASLs) are in charge of checking up on public employees. The government will try to crack down on public sector absenteeism by placing INPS in charge of all worker health issues - including their sick days - under its civil service reform package.
    A decree is forthcoming "by June or July", said Civil Service Minister Marianna Madia.