Italy: social partners revise protocol to combat coronavirus in the workplace

Ahead of “phase two”, which see lockdown in Italy gradually eased from 4 May and will primarily concern production activities, the trade unions Cgil, Cisl and Uil and the employer organisation Confindustria drew up a new protocol on 24 April, which integrates and replaces the protocol of 14 March (see article n°11720). Concluded under the auspices of Italy’s employment minister and the minister for economic development, the agreement required tough negotiations through the night and talks between social partners came close to collapsing, according to UIL secretary general Carmelo Barbagallo. Under the protocol, which represents a compromise on several controversial aspects, suspension of activity will be a sanction for companies that do not comply with the protocol, occupational physicians will be given greater power, and local bilateral committees will be set up.