Italy – National Regulations in Employment Law

We, the International Labour and Employment Group of Rödl & Partner, are happy to advise you on labour law issues (individual and collective) as well as social security law issues on a global, regional and local level.

Below you will find basic information on national labour law provisions in Italy.

Interview with Rita Santaniello und Giovanni Zoja

Are there national and/or local collective agreements in the country that regulate labour relations?

Yes. Both national and/or local, depending on the branch of activity and/or the geographical situation.

Are there different legal rules by department/canton?

No.

Is there and what is the staff threshold above which the presence of staff representatives is mandatory?

No. But a possibility for workers to elect representatives, in companies/local units having more than 15 employees.

Are trade unions present in the company?

Not compulsory.

If applicable what is the applicable legal working time?

40 hours a week legal working time, maximum 48 weekly on average, and minimum 11 hours daily rest and 35 hours weekly rest.

Is there a minimum wage set by law/collective agreements (yes/no)?

Yes. By collective agreements for different branches.

What is the number of legal annual paid holidays?

At least 4 weeks paid holiday a year. Unless an exception is made, this period shall be taken for at least two weeks, consecutive if requested by the employee, during the year of accrual and, for the remaining two weeks, during the 18 months following the end of the year of accrual.

Existence of specific classification of employees according to their functions/responsibilities?

Yes. Categories are defined by law and specific job levels by collective bargaining agreements.

Obligation to set up complementary social insurance schemes (mutual insurance/provident fund/pension)?

Yes. All workers must be registered to the mandatory workers’ social security body (“INPS”), and to the public insurance against accidents at work (“INAIL”). Additional funds Mandatory/voluntary are provided by collective bargaining agreements.