The government will present proposals
to Italian trade unions on a cut in the labour tax wedge, wage
hikes to keep pace with rising inflation, and improving
precarious employment in formal talks starting July 23,
participants at a meeting Tuesday between Premier Mario Draghi
and union federations CGIl, CISL and Uil said.
Draghi and various competent ministers met with CGIL leader
Maurizio Landini, CISL chief Luigi Sbarra and Uil head Pierpaolo
Bombardieri.
Landini was among the most pessimistic after the gathering
saying "there are not yet any answers to our problems from the
government".
But he said he would reserve full judgement until he hears
exactly what the proposals are.
Landini, whose CGIL is Italy's biggest and most leftwing union,
said "today there were novelties in the method, but we are
awaiting solutions".
Sbarra hailed the government's "commitment to structured and
permanent talks".
He called for a budget adjustment to fund pro-labour measures
amid the cost of living crisis.
CSIL sources said the government had promised a decree to boost
incomes and help families with rising living costs shortly.
Bombardieri called for action on the energy bill and pension
emergencies and tax breaks on pay increases.
Tuesday's talks also involved Labour Minister Andrea Orando of
the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), Industry Minister
Giancarlo Giorgetti of the rightwing League party, Civil Service
Minister Renato Brunetta of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI)
party, and Farm Minister Stefano Patuanelli, whose populist
5-Star Movement (M5S) has said it may pull support from the
government unless a set of policy demands including a minimum
wage and tax wedge cut are implemented.
Economy Minister Daniele Franco is at financial meetings in
Brussels.
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