In the next few months important decisions will be taken on economic policies: the budget adjustment manoeuvre due to exceeding the 3% threshold, the introduction of Dpef and the announced tax reduction. Although the government will try to hide the social cost of its choices, it is evident that some social classes will have to bear the brunt of these cuts. At the same time, there are no signs of economic recovery, the development rate for 2004 is just a little over zero, the inflation rate in Italy is higher than the European average, the crisis in production is getting worse and poverty is increasing. The situation isn’t only negative it is catastrophic. The union, reiterating its idea for a universalistic qualitative welfare state, is preparing to oppose hardly to government policies.only subscribers can see the full article

The article gives an historical overview of Filcams bargaining intervention on working time from the 70s to today’s challenges. In all the various phases, the sector’s structural and organisational situation and the aspirations of the workers (in prevalence female) have played a crucial part in the proceedings. The «negotiated» flexibility on working time, its distribution over the week, month and year becomes the main instrument to respond to various requirements and to contrast through negotiation the use of work precariousness. In this perspective the experimentation of working time self-management is a coherent evolution and represents a new frontier.only subscribers can see the full article

The article examines the results of the application of law 30/03 in the light of trends in subsequent collective bargaining and the results of decisions made by the Cgil on the matter. Remarks are given on some inquiries conducted by Istat and other institutes on the influence of measures introduced by law 30 on the Italian labour market. The results obtained highlight that bargaining has mostly complied with the indications set by Cgil and that hints at a general weakening of Italian occupation are becoming visible, due mainly to the increasing rate of forward contracts, especially in the case of female occupation. It is thus necessary to radically modify current legislation.only subscribers can see the full article

I want first of all to consider a question: what made Cgil decide to take up the subject of integrated policies? We came to that point trying above all to understand what were the most critical features of the traditional welfare system compared with present innovations in this economic and social context. We set off in this direction because we were convinced that welfare is best defended if its critical features are rationally identified and new proposals put forward. Let us analyse some of its characteristics. First, we all know about the extraordinary changes in technology and production that have revolutionised the modern world, starting from the field of computers and communications. We also know about the potential of technology to provide greater autonomy, planning capacity for the workers themselves, and opportunities for a qualified job or a job that is deliberately chosen.only subscribers can see the full article