European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legal regulations provides information on regulations in the Member States of the European Union and Norway which are explicitly or implicitly linked to anticipating and managing change.
Legislative Decree no. 150/2015, articles 20, 21, 25; Article 25-ter of Legislative Decree No. 148/2015; Law No. 234 of December 30, 2021, article 1, paragraph 202-203; Decree Law no. 48, 4 May 2023
In Italy, employees' obligation to undertake training is connected to the reception of social shock absorber instruments, both within a still existing employment relationship (that is the Ordinary Wage Guarantee Fund, Cassa integrazione guadagni ordinaria, CIGO; the Extraordinary Wage Guarantee Fund (Cassa integrazione guadagni straordinaria (CIGS); solidarity contracts; solidarity funds) and in case of unemployment (NaSPI and citizenship income).
Orientation activities are available to workers suspended from the work activity and beneficiary of an income support instrument within a still existing employment relationship or to the unemployed beneficiary of the New Social Insurance for Employment (NASpI). These activities are defined by the public employment centres in a personalised agreement, which might also include training activities. Beneficiaries could lose the right to the benefit if they do not attend orientation initiatives without a justified reason. Failure to comply with these obligations entails proportional sanctions, ranging from the deduction of a fraction or an entire month of the benefit, up to the lapse of the same.
According to Decree law n. 4/2019, within 30 days of the recognition of the benefit, the beneficiaries of the citizenship income which are able to work are summoned by the public employment centres to stipulate an employment agreement, i.e. a personalised programme aiming at reintroducing the beneficiary into the labour market. The employment pact might also include professional requalification and completion of studies. The beneficiary must abide with the commitments set forth in the employment pact, under penalty of revocation of the benefit.
From December 31, 2021, there are new enhanced training requirements whereby workers receiving wage integration benefits must participate in training or requalification initiatives to maintain or develop skills in connection with labour market demand in their territory, with initiatives deliverable through inter-professional funds and eligible for regional co-financing. The replacement provision also introduces a sanctions regime where non-participation without justified reason results in sanctions ranging from deduction of one month's wage integration benefit to complete termination of benefits.
Law no. 48/2023 introduces the Support for Training and Work program in Italy, effective from September 1, 2023. This initiative is designed to enhance employment opportunities and skills development among individuals aged 18 to 59. Participants in this program, who engage in active employment projects such as universal civil service and community-beneficial activities, are eligible for a monthly allowance of €350. The program is specifically tailored to support involvement in vocational training and socially valuable work, aiming to boost employability and contribute positively to the community.
Since 2012 (law 92/2012), the legislator made conditionalities applying to recipients of social shock absorber instruments more rigid. However, some critical opinions have pointed out that employment services (both public and private), which should be in charge of providing personalised training programmes aiming at reintroducing people into the labour market, are largely ineffective in Italy.
Law no. 48/2023 introduces the "Inclusion Allowance," effective from January 1, 2024. This allowance, replacing the Citizenship Income and Pension, aims to support individuals in specific economic situations, particularly those from households with an annual income not exceeding €6,000. The Inclusion Allowance is designed to supplement family income, with additional benefits for specific household compositions and rent contributions. It's important to note that this allowance is not compatible with the "Support for Training and Work" program.
Eurofound (2015), Italy: Employees obligation to undertake training, Restructuring legislation database, Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/legislationdb/employees-obligation-to-undertake-training/italy
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