Workplace Report April 2020

European news

Italian unions agree return to work arrangements

The metal working unions of the three Italian union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, have signed an agreement with motor manufacturer FCA (formerly Fiat) on the health and safety measures to take when factories reopen. The 9 April deal provides for the cleaning of the plant before work resumes and periodically thereafter; social distancing of at least a metre in the factory and communal areas; working from home where possible; masks for all employees; temperature checks before entering the premises; protection of the most vulnerable and the introduction of procedures to prevent large numbers of workers congregating in locker rooms and canteens.

The deal also contains a plan for groups of work to be rotated so that numbers in the plant at any one time are kept low, and a commitment that local authorities will be approached to ensure safe transport to and from the plant.