MESSINA – The city of Messina returns to the center of the national debate on labor law and social security, hosting the XXI National Congress of the Italian Association of Labor Law and Social Security (Aidlass). From 23 to 25 May, the University of Messina welcomes scholars and professionals to discuss a highly topical topic: “Anti-discrimination law and work transformations”. The event, organized by the Chair of Labor Law of the Department of Law under the guidance of Professor Loredana Ferluga, is a symbolic return, marking seventy years since the first National Congress of Labor Law held in nearby Taormina, in 1954. The Congress it began with an inaugural ceremony in the Aula Magna of the rectorate. Among the participants in the institutional greetings were the vice-rector, Giuseppe Giordano, the mayor of Messina, Federico Basile and other local and academic authorities. Professor Alessandro Garilli, president of Aidlass, officially opened the proceedings.
Professor Garilli, what is the importance of the theme chosen for the Congress?
“Discrimination is a well-known phenomenon, which today concerns not only gender, but all conditions of particular weakness. It is necessary for the legal norm to intervene to rebalance these positions. This is the fundamental theme of our Congress.”
How has labor law changed in Italy since the first congress in 1954?
“Labour law has changed a lot. From the 1950s to the 1960s the first protections for fixed-term work and dismissals began. The Workers’ Statute represented the culmination of protections, but the economic crises then led to a lowering of protections. Today, for example, protection against illegitimate dismissals has become predominantly compensatory. If there is dismissal, the job is usually lost today, the judge no longer deals with it.”
What area of employment law do you think is most critical to reform?
Among the most problematic issues in labor law is the regulation of dismissals. The latest reforms, including the Fornero law on the labor market (known as the Jobs Act) and the Fornero social security law (which has no relevance to the topic in question), have generated a series of legal critical issues. The Constitutional Court intervened partially, declaring the unconstitutionality of some aspects, but a more organic intervention is necessary to redefine the overall structure of the discipline, which is currently very confused. In addition to dismissals, another area of great importance is the fight against discrimination. A concrete example is the European directive on the gender pay gap, the difference in pay between men and women. Although the directive was issued in 2023, to date it has not yet been implemented in our system.”
What are your expectations for the future of labor law in Italy?
“It’s difficult to make predictions. New technologies such as artificial intelligence could reduce or increase employment. I hope that there will be new quality employment, but this requires planning that is currently lacking.”
PROFESSOR FERLUGA, how do you evaluate the evolution of labor law over the last 70 years?
“The first congress in 1954 was fundamental. The return of the Association to Messina (in ’54 the association had not yet been founded) on such a complex and current topic as anti-discrimination law is equally significant”.
What are the practical implications of anti-discrimination law in everyday life?
“The entry of technologies such as machines, computers and artificial intelligence has revolutionized the world of work, not only the manual one, but also the intellectual, creative and writing world. Technology now permeates every aspect of our working life, becoming an essential element of everyday life. This change brings with it new challenges and protection needs for workers. Constantly working on the computer and with artificial intelligence can lead to increased tiredness and the risk of stress. These situations highlight the need to protect the psychophysical well-being of the worker in the digital age. It is essential that the law adapts to changes in work and pays attention to new risk profiles for the health and safety of workers. The rules must be updated to regulate these aspects and guarantee adequate protection in a constantly evolving labor market.”
Professor, the Messina Law department has obtained recognition of excellence for the five-year period 2023-2027. What projects and initiatives are planned to further strengthen this record?
“The Department, led by Professor Alessio Lo Giudice, is engaged in multiple initiatives to improve our already excellent panorama. Just before the conference. The ongoing and planned initiatives concern all scientific-disciplinary sectors, from labor law to civil, agricultural and administrative law. Each sector is involved in active or future projects.”
What are your hopes and expectations for the future of labor law and social security in Italy? What steps do you think are necessary to address emerging challenges?
“Every day we hear of workers dying at work and of people being discriminated against for various reasons. This can no longer happen. Through conferences like this, where authoritative speakers offer food for thought, I hope that we can contribute to reducing, if not eliminating, these tragic realities.”
The sessions of the Congress continue today in the Aula Magna “Vittorio Ricevuto” of the Polo Papardo, where discussions will continue until tomorrow, 25 May.
