Collective agreements to ensure continuity in employment and pay
Among the interventions taken in Italy in order to deal with the Coronavirus emergency, it should be pointed out the agreement signed on March 6, 2020 between Assolavoro (National Association of Labour Agencies) and trade unions Nidil Cgil, Felsa Cisl, UilTemp, in order to ensure the continuity of employment and pay of workers involved in the epidemiological coronavirus emergency.
The aforementioned agreement, whose effectiveness was extended to the entire national territory with the agreement reached on March 10, 2020 following the publication of the Prime Ministerial Decree of March 9, provides for a simplified procedure for the Wage Integration Treatment: a service for active workers hired on temporary and permanent contracts, including apprenticeships, who find themselves in situations of reduced or suspended working hours.
This treatment can now be activated by the agencies for the work by giving prior notice to the most representative trade unions indicating the number of workers involved, the user company concerned and the duration of the planned suspension.
On an extraordinary and experimental basis, it is also provided for the payment of the Wage Supplementary Benefit "by way of derogation" in favour of workers in the event that the companies using them do not activate any social shock absorber.
The benefits in question are also granted to workers with less than 90 days of seniority in the sector, with advance payment by the Agencies, which will then be reimbursed by the sector Solidarity Fund.
It was also provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of applications for Ebitemp (subsidies for health care expenses, contributions and one-time loans) and Formatemp (income support and interventions in case of lack of employment opportunities).
The agreement, in confirming that the periods of illness linked to Covid-19 will not contribute to the calculation of the periods of “comporto” (period of respite) provided for by collective agreements, establishes a control booth with the task of monitoring the situation also for the adoption of extraordinary interventions of the Solidarity Fund in support of workers employed in sectors at greater risk.
We are of course in the presence of measures related to the extraordinariness of the epidemiological situation, effective from February 23 to April 30, 2020 (subject, for the final deadline, any different future resolutions) and valid only for contracts signed by March 6, 2020.
Also in relation to work on payroll, it should also be noted the agreement reached on 26 February between the trade unions in the sector and Formatemp, the Fund for training and income support for workers on payroll (set up by the two Associations representing the Employment Agencies: Assolavoro and Assosomm), which has increased and simplified the provision of distance learning.
Therefore, the training continues, but in smart working mode to avoid contagion. And the workers in administration will be guaranteed salary integration, to avoid them staying at home without income. (LC)
