Working in Italy - Representation of Workers

The national federations representing the industrial categories stipulate the collective national labour contracts which are valid for all workers, whether affiliated or not.

Workers are not obliged to join a trade union, but if they intend to do so, they must enrol in the national federation representing the category for the manufacturing sector in which they are employed. Worker may join a trade union in two ways:

1. by authorising the employer to deduct a sum equal to approximately 1% of the gross salary from their pay packet (which the employer then pays to the relevant trade union organisation)
2. by paying the dues directly to the trade union at the time of joining. It is relatively common practice to join a trade union in Italy, but despite the tradition of joining trade unions, it is very difficult to give accurate figures that prove that the level of trade union membership is higher on average than in other European countries.

Trade unions also offer other types of service: legal assistance in disputes with employers, assistance with social security matters and assistance with tax matters.

By means of a democratic process of election, a Rappresentanza Sindacale Unitaria (RSU) (unitary trade union delegation) is constituted in the workplace.These delegations may also be formed from trade unions other than those referred to above, provided they are chosen by at least 5% of the voters. The RSU is invested with the power to hold negotiations and discuss working conditions and all related topics with company management. In addition, the delegation has the task of discussing the decisions of the external union organisations with the workers and the duty to participate in committees and commissions set up in the workplace by agreement between workers’ organisations and employers to co-manage the various aspects of company activities.

Text last edited on: 02/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2005
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