Premium
The Italian Case: From Employment Regulation to Welfare Reforms?
Author(s) -
Lodovici Manuela Samek,
Semenza Renata
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
social policy and administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1467-9515
pISSN - 0144-5596
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2008.00601.x
Subject(s) - seniority , legislature , welfare reform , negotiation , labour economics , economics , welfare , politics , active labour market policies , welfare state , inequality , market economy , political science , unemployment , economic growth , mathematical analysis , mathematics , law
This article on the Italian case is based on recent trends in labour market reform. We critically review the reform approach adopted in recent years, mainly centred on marginal legislative reforms in employment contracts. The diffusion of flexible labour contracts, especially among the younger generations and women, together with a welfare system still based on employment seniority and job characteristics, have reinforced the segmentation of the Italian labour market and social inequalities. The absence of a negotiating strategy in introducing reforms has also increased social conflict. These trends ask for a comprehensive reform of the welfare system and for active policies to support labour market transitions, a reform which is increasingly considered in the current political debate.