Workplace Report February 2018

European news

End to pay freeze in Italian public sector 


More areas of the Italian public sector have settled, ending a pay freeze which has lasted in some cases for nine years. 


The biggest agreement, in terms of numbers covered is that for the 1.2 million working in education and research, but there have also been settlements for workers in local and regional government, the armed forces, police and security services and the fire service. 


The agreements all involve the implementation of the framework agreement for the public sector signed in November 2016, which guaranteed an average increase of €85 a month, but also include other add-ons. The education agreement, for example, includes “the right to disconnect” with workers able to refuse to deal with communications sent outside working hours. 


The deals come after the agreement for employees working in central government (see Workplace Report, January 2018, page 8). 


€1 = 88p on 20 February