The introduction of a minimum wage in
Italy could increase irregular employment particularly in those
production sectors where wages are significantly lower than the
nine euros gross per hour set out in a new bill presented by
opposition parties, the association of artisans and small
businesses Cgia said on Saturday.
The sectors most at risk are agriculture, domestic work, and
some service sectors, added Cgia.
Faced with the obligation to adjust salaries upwards, the
association said it cannot be ruled out that some employers
might be tempted to dismiss staff or reduce their hours and then
"force" them to work off the books.
Such practices would allow many businesses to contain costs and
not disappear from the market.
Cgia said Italy's southern regions, which already have a large
black economy and account for 38% of all irregular workers in
the country, would be most at risk.
Earlier this month opposition parties registered a joint bill in
the Lower House providing for a guaranteed minimum wage of nine
euros per hour and for temporary benefits in the 2024 budget law
to accompany the adjustment in the event of lower wages under
collective sectoral agreements.
"The need for an intervention to guarantee adequate earnings for
workers, especially those in conditions of poverty in part
because of inflation, is a representative element of our
election manifestos," said a statement by ex-premier and M5S
leader Giuseppe Conte, Pd secretary Elly Schlein, Nicola
Fratoianni of SI, Matteo Richetti of Action, Angelo Bonelli of
the Greens and Riccardo Magi of +Europa.
Photo: Centre-left opposition Democratic Party (Pd) secretary
Elly Schlein, one of the proponents of the introduction of a
minimum wage in Italy.
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