[Italy] Lowest salaries in the EU drive worker exodus

Italy is the only country in Europe without a minimum wage and earnings are falling. There has been a 3 per cent decline in the last 30 years leaving it as the country with the lowest salaries in the European Union, The OWP reports.

Italy’s youngest workers have been the worst affected; struggling to find jobs and underpaid in comparison to their more mature counterparts. However, low wages and the absence of work are reportedly feeding tension all over the country. 

Native-born Italians insist that all of the jobs are being taken by the country’s large migrant population, while the issue of wages has set older and younger citizens against each other, according to The Organization for World Peace (OWP). On a wider scale, the country’s inability to pay its workers at competitive rates is frustrating millions of skilled workers into leaving.

The disastrous economic situation has caught the EU’s attention. At a press conference for the Ansa Editorial, EU Labour Commissioner Nicolas Schmit said he is confident that “the Italian government and the social partners will reach a satisfactory agreement to strengthen collective bargaining, especially for the less well-protected.” 

Mr Schmit predicted that “in the end, [Italians] will conclude that it could be essential to introduce a minimum-wage system in Italy,” but that “it is down to the Italian government and the social partners to do it.”

Italian political figures and intellectuals have called for the implementation of minimum wages, which are vital to protect workers’ dignity and work towards proper remuneration. In a Facebook post, the Minister of Agricultural Policies wrote, “This country needs a minimum wage, which must be approved in this legislature.”

Financial reforms are necessary to improve Italy’s labour market and kickstart the country’s stagnant economy. Introducing minimum wages will be a crucial part of that but it is also necessary to invest in young workers and ensure their future in the country. The OWP says ensuring that younger Italians feel welcomed, respected and encouraged to work for their nation will prevent them from being forced to search for opportunities abroad.

Introducing minimum wages and investing in the youngest population share will allow Italy to escape its stagnant economic situation and soothe the building tensions within its borders. Valuing all sectors of the population and offering equal opportunities to all Italians will allow everyone to grow, without having to accuse each other of stealing jobs or inciting conflict. Working reforms could soothe Italy’s increasing discontent between older and younger citizens, between natural-born Italians and migrants and between Italians and their government, The OWP says.

Source: The OWP

(Quotes via original reporting)

Italy is the only country in Europe without a minimum wage and earnings are falling. There has been a 3 per cent decline in the last 30 years leaving it as the country with the lowest salaries in the European Union, The OWP reports.

Italy’s youngest workers have been the worst affected; struggling to find jobs and underpaid in comparison to their more mature counterparts. However, low wages and the absence of work are reportedly feeding tension all over the country. 

Native-born Italians insist that all of the jobs are being taken by the country’s large migrant population, while the issue of wages has set older and younger citizens against each other, according to The Organization for World Peace (OWP). On a wider scale, the country’s inability to pay its workers at competitive rates is frustrating millions of skilled workers into leaving.

The disastrous economic situation has caught the EU’s attention. At a press conference for the Ansa Editorial, EU Labour Commissioner Nicolas Schmit said he is confident that “the Italian government and the social partners will reach a satisfactory agreement to strengthen collective bargaining, especially for the less well-protected.” 

Mr Schmit predicted that “in the end, [Italians] will conclude that it could be essential to introduce a minimum-wage system in Italy,” but that “it is down to the Italian government and the social partners to do it.”

Italian political figures and intellectuals have called for the implementation of minimum wages, which are vital to protect workers’ dignity and work towards proper remuneration. In a Facebook post, the Minister of Agricultural Policies wrote, “This country needs a minimum wage, which must be approved in this legislature.”

Financial reforms are necessary to improve Italy’s labour market and kickstart the country’s stagnant economy. Introducing minimum wages will be a crucial part of that but it is also necessary to invest in young workers and ensure their future in the country. The OWP says ensuring that younger Italians feel welcomed, respected and encouraged to work for their nation will prevent them from being forced to search for opportunities abroad.

Introducing minimum wages and investing in the youngest population share will allow Italy to escape its stagnant economic situation and soothe the building tensions within its borders. Valuing all sectors of the population and offering equal opportunities to all Italians will allow everyone to grow, without having to accuse each other of stealing jobs or inciting conflict. Working reforms could soothe Italy’s increasing discontent between older and younger citizens, between natural-born Italians and migrants and between Italians and their government, The OWP says.

Source: The OWP

(Quotes via original reporting)