Tlc, contract renewed: EUR 298 increase for 200,000 workers

With the signing of the renewal of the national collective labour agreement, the telecommunications industry makes a decisive leap forward in the sector's renewal process, marking a step change for the evolution of the entire ecosystem. The economic increase recognised to the 200,000 employees concerned is 298 euros at the 5th level, corresponding to Level C1 in the new classification system, which will be paid in a first instalment of 100 euros from 1 January 2026, a second of 50 euros from 1 December 2026. Then another EUR 50 from 1 July 2027 and EUR 98 from 1 December 2028.

From the economic point of view, the agreement confirms the concrete and responsible commitment of the companies that in the three-year period 2026-2028 will recognise the recovery of the Ipca inflation accrued in the two negotiation cycles. This is an important signal of attention and social responsibility, which translates into a real commitment to people's welfare, even in a context in which the industry has not yet fully emerged from the crisis. Moreover, the new contract is qualified by two other issues. First, the fight against contractual dumping and then the reform of classifications. 'The new contract represents a turning point for the telecommunications supply chain,' explains Asstel president Pietro Labriola, 'because it looks ahead and puts the value of people at the centre. It is a transformational contract that is the result of a serious and responsible dialogue, and which testifies to the great social responsibility of our sector'. Despite the fact that we cannot speak of an exit from the crisis, 'the companies have chosen to do their part, also in line with the interventions envisaged by the government in the budget law, which provides for tax relief measures for economic increases recognised by contractual renewals,' continues Labriola. 'However, this commitment must be accompanied by coherent and long-term industrial policies: without a structural change in the policies of the country system, every effort by companies risks being in vain. The numbers of the contract place it among the largest in the private sector, with over 200,000 employees involved, more than 6% of GDP, and investments of over 114 billion euros since 2010. "Telecommunications are a strategic component of the Italian economy," says Labriola, "and they deserve an industrial policy vision that recognises their central role in national competitiveness. Now is the time to act with coherence and vision, to make our sector one of the engines of the country's digitalisation and growth'.

The fight against contractual dumping is achieved by introducing for the first time a distinction in the supply chain for the CRM-BPO (customer care) sector, which is the most exposed to evolutionary processes and technological transition, providing more flexibility tools to ensure economic and employment sustainability and to counter contractual dumping phenomena. For CRM-BPO (customer care) the economic increase recognised is EUR 288 at level 5, corresponding to level C1 in the new classification system with a first tranche of EUR 50 from 1 April 2026, a second of EUR 35 from 1 December 2026. Then further EUR 50 from 1 December 2027, EUR 50 from 1 July 2028 and EUR 103 from 1 December 2028. This also included the revision of the social clause guaranteeing continuity of employment in contract changes, while maintaining equivalent and sustainable economic conditions.

The contract envisages a reform of classifications with the introduction of professional areas to enhance people's skills and guide the transformation by overcoming the old levels and enhancing skills, employability, and linking responsibilities more directly to growth paths.