They continue very fast the negotiations between the Government and the social partners on labor reform. A window seems to have opened, but for now only on the part of businesses. “We are closer to agreement. Progress has been made, I think that if we smooth out the other issues, an agreement will be reached”. These are the words of Marco Venturi, president of Rete Imprese Italia, at the end of summit this morning at Palazzo Chigi with Prime Minister Mario Monti. Also present were the number one of Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia, and the president of Abi, Giuseppe Mussari. "We have reasoned and on some issues, such as that of costs, there has been some positive responses," Venturi said again.
Less optimism from Confindustria: “There were no positive responses, but they are thinking about some important points – said the general manager of viale dell'Astronomia, Giampaolo Galli -. I don't want to say that the matter is closed, on some important points we have been told that a reflection is underway, however we have had no positive responses".
Previously Monti had also met separately with the leaders of the trade unions Majors: Susanna Camusso (Cgil), Raffaele Bonanni (Cisl), Luigi Angeletti (Uil) and Giovanni Centrella (Ugl). However, much less encouraging signals came from the workers' representatives: union sources have announced that the agreement is still far away. Indeed, according to the CGIL, "steps back" were even taken during a subsequent technical table between the government and the unions, this time at the headquarters of the Ministry of Labour. After the informal meetings this morning, in any case, the official negotiations will resume this afternoon. The social partners are convened again at Palazzo Chigi for 16 pm.
Opening up by small businesses is the only step forward in the whole negotiation so far. It's not cheap, considering that only last week Venturi himself had been harshly polemical towards the Executive: “The increase in costs envisaged by the labor reform presented by the Government is unacceptable – wrote the president of the association that brings together Confcommercio, Confesercenti, Confartigianato, Cna and Casartigiani -. Adding the increased cost of labour, the increase in costs for fixed-term hiring, a new 'tax on dismissals' (the contributions to participate in the social insurance for employment, ed) and the increase in VAT you get a deadly mix”.
However, the most difficult wall to break down remains the one that separates the government from the unions, led by the CGIL. Camusso met the confederal secretariat to take stock of the ongoing negotiations. It cannot be excluded that, before returning to Palazzo Chigi, there may be a separate meeting between the general secretaries of the four trade unions. Meanwhile, the pressure from the more radical wing of the CGIL continues, the Fiom, opposed to any intervention on Article 18. This morning morning i metalworkers went on strike to protest against the reform, the marches set up roadblocks in several Italian cities.
