The government is leaving behind a professional category which in Italy has about two million workers: that of cleaners, carers and babysitters. In the text of Cura Italia decree (Article 22, paragraph 2), this type of employment is explicitly excluded from the use of layoffs in derogation, reintroduced and strengthened for other employees.
So what should families who have hired a maid, carer or babysitter do? In theory, they should continue to pay them even if – due to the coronavirus emergency – they no longer use their services. The problem is that this is often not possible, also because in many cases the families themselves have suffered a significant drop in income.
Also the income of last resort, created by the Cura Italia decree and financed with 300 million, risks being an impassable road if the income limit of 10 thousand euros is confirmed, which is exceeded by many domestic workers, carers and babysitters.
The only solution would therefore be the interruption of the employment relationship. But it is clear that a shower of layoffs in this sector it would have dramatic consequences, given that domestic cleaners, carers and babysitters (90% women and 66% foreigners) already represent a category with little protection.
However, there are alternatives to take time, such as forced holidays or permits (paid or unpaid). Furthermore, domestic cleaners and babysitters (but not carers) can ask INPS the 600 euro babysitter voucher if they have children under 12. The exclusion of carers risks being particularly problematic, given that residences for the elderly and disabled have been closed as an anti-contagion measure.
All workers in the sector, in any case, will collect from the state the prize of 100 euros if they worked in March.
From a household perspective, the only positive news is that the deadline for the payment of INPS and Inail contributions has been postponed from 10 April to 10 June.
