Sardinia: the Government challenges the regional law on the minimum wage
The legislation approved by the Sardinian Regional Council introduces a minimum threshold of €9 for remuneration in procurement contracts and concessions awarded by the Region, local authorities, health authorities and their subsidiaries
Sardinia’s regional law on the minimum wage in contracts awarded by public and state-controlled companies has been challenged. Specifically, the Council of Ministers has decided to challenge the regional law of 9 April on ‘Provisions for the quality and safety of work, to combat contractual dumping, and for employment stability in public procurement or concession contracts carried out within the region’. According to Palazzo Chigi, certain provisions in the Sardinian legislation, “by exceeding statutory powers and conflicting with national competition law, violate Article 117, paragraph 2, letter e), of the Constitution”.
What does the regulation stipulate?
The law approved by the Regional Council of Sardinia concerns the regional minimum wage and introduces a minimum threshold of €9 for remuneration in procurement contracts and concessions awarded by the Region, local authorities, health authorities and subsidiary companies.
The inspection
Among the measures introduced by the legislation is the establishment of a Regional Committee for the Monitoring of Working Conditions, tasked with carrying out inspections and producing annual reports on the implementation of the provisions and trends in labour costs. “Monitoring,” emphasised Regional President Alessandra Todde, “will be essential to ensure the effectiveness of the measures introduced.”
Mandatory criteria for tenders
The law provides incentives for companies that invest in quality of employment and social responsibility.
Reactions
Reactions followed hot on its heels. “Whilst the government devises new ways to avoid tackling the issue of low wages, it is showing its true colours and targeting those who are genuinely trying to make a difference,” says Alessandro Solinas, regional coordinator of the Five Star Movement in Sardinia. The law guarantees that in regional public contracts, no worker can be paid less than €9 gross per hour. This is a measure against wage dumping and the race to the bottom on pay. We are not talking about salaries for managers or professionals, but about concrete protection for thousands of workers employed in services, cleaning, care, maintenance and many other sectors linked to public contracts.”
