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Round Table. Implementing the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages in southern Europe: the odd case of Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Orlandini

    (Università di Siena, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Meardi

    (Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy)

Abstract

Southern European countries, with their apparently high degree of collective bargaining centralisation and state regulations, may seem to be little affected by the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages. This article looks at the case of Italy, the EU country generally reported to have the highest collective bargaining coverage in Europe, to show how the situation on the ground is more problematic than conventional indicators suggest. Not only does Italy lack a national minimum wage and a legal framework for collective bargaining extension, but its apparent high level of collective bargaining coverage is vulnerable to wage dumping practices. The article identifies the weaknesses of the Italian system and proposes some possible lines of reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Orlandini & Guglielmo Meardi, 2023. "Round Table. Implementing the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages in southern Europe: the odd case of Italy," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(2), pages 253-259, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:29:y:2023:i:2:p:253-259
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589231175259
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giuseppe Antonio Recchia, 2017. "The future of collective bargaining in Italy between legislative reforms and social partners’ responses," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 23(4), pages 457-473, November.
    2. Claudio Lucifora & Daria Vigani, 2021. "Losing Control? Unions’ Representativeness, Pirate Collective Agreements, and Wages," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(2), pages 188-218, April.
    3. Guglielmo Meardi, 2018. "Economic Integration and State Responses: Change in European Industrial Relations since Maastricht," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(3), pages 631-655, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sven Schreurs, 2025. "Usages of ‘soft’ EU labour law: the implementation of the Minimum Wage Directive," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(4), pages 485-501, November.

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