Maurizio Landini calls for wage hikes, stronger labour representation in Italy

CGIL secretary‑general Maurizio Landini addressed the national “Valore del lavoro” assembly in Bologna, warning that wages are stagnant, precarious contracts are rising and workplace accidents are increasing, even citing deaths caused by heat. He urged a shift of economic policy toward work, demanding annual wage increases, reduced precariousness for young and female workers, expanded training and stronger collective bargaining. Landini also proposed tax reform moving the burden from employees and pensions to profits, rents and financial returns, and called for a transparent agreement on union and employer representation to curb “pirate contracts”.

In parallel, the regional labour table in Bologna reconvened to restore dialogue between Philip Morris and trade unions. Regional officials Vincenzo Colla and Giovanni Paglia noted the company’s commitment to its industrial plan and investments in the Bologna plant, stating that negotiations would continue.

CGIL also highlighted broader exploitation issues: its observatory reported over 160,000 irregular workers in Emilia‑Romagna, with 71 % of inspected firms showing violations, and warned of caporalato in the Vado Ligure dam project. A CGIL‑led campaign in the tourism sector revealed that 47.5 % of tertiary‑sector employees earn below the poverty line, with women disproportionately affected. The union called for rapid renewal of national contracts to address these labour‑poverty emergencies.