Maria Teresa Bellucci (Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policies) spoke during the 15th edition of the Justice Fair, during the panel entitled “Work, work, work”. They took part in the panel, moderated by Alessandro Galimberti (journalist Il Sole 24 ore), also Giovanni Russo (Head of the Penitentiary Administration Department), Annamaria Furlan (PD Senator, former CISL general secretary) and Bernardo Mattarella (CEO Invitalia).
Deputy Minister Bellucci declared: «This Government has focused on work. The Constitution establishes that Italy is a democratic Republic founded on work and we are committed to promoting it, especially among young people and women. We have reached and exceeded 62% employment and 53% for women, but we are concerned about the remaining 47% and we will work in this direction. As a Ministry we manage the national program “Youth, women and work”, which, thanks to an allocation of 5 billion, aims to insert them into the world of work. We have adopted various measures to encourage stable and permanent work, but also safety in the workplace. We have always taken sides against the minimum wage, given that it is the result of a mentality according to which work must be distanced from people’s lives and always at a low price, to the minimum terms. We, however, want to interpret it as a tool for self-realization, a founding part of identity, necessary for the growth of the nation and to give dignity to the person himself.”
«Between now and 2028 we will need around 4 million workers, so the issue today is finding people to fill those positions. We have a skills problem, so we have already started to allocate funds and will continue to do so. We are convinced that production will only increase if we focus on new technologies in the right way.
NEETs find themselves having lived through an extraordinary time, in which everything has fallen apart in terms of relationships, also due to the pandemic. For them there is a need to open up to an idea of work which at the beginning may not even be that of their dreams, but which makes them capable of building skills to start a path which, step by step, can lead them to achieve their goal. own dream.”
«We have increased the sanctions for illegal work up to the point of introducing criminal sanctions. We have opened a table on gangmastering and increased the hiring of labor inspectors. We intervened to supplement the salary in different ways: by not increasing taxes and by impacting the cut in the tax wedge. For us, work is always work, whether employed or self-employed. We will continue hoping to do better and better and we will do it with this balanced approach, keeping the state budget safe.”
«In addition to the baby bonus, the super-decontribution for mothers with dependent children has been confirmed, in addition to this we have made some parts of the Single Allowance for dependent children structural and in particular those concerning disabled children. We have increased the Single Allowance for dependent children for the child within one year and the other children in the case of a large family. The Parliamentary Budget Office tells us that in the two years of government we have generated direct benefits for families to encourage birth rates, allocating two and a half billion. We have therefore had a decisive impact on family balance and on the possibility of mothers to continue to be mothers, but also workers.”
#Meloni #Government #focused #work #Tempo
**Interview with Maria Teresa Bellucci, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policies**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Deputy Minister Bellucci. You recently spoke at the Justice Fair regarding the government’s commitment to work. Can you elaborate on the key initiatives aimed at increasing employment in Italy, especially for young people and women?
**Maria Teresa Bellucci:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, our government is strongly focused on enhancing employment opportunities. We’ve achieved important milestones—over 62% employment overall and 53% for women—yet there is still work to be done, particularly regarding the remaining 47% who are not in the workforce. Our national program “Youth, women and work,” with an allocation of 5 billion euros, specifically targets these demographics to facilitate their entry into the labor market.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the need for stable and permanent work. What measures has your Ministry implemented to ensure this, as well as workplace safety?
**Maria Teresa Bellucci:** We’ve adopted a variety of measures to not only promote stable employment but also ensure safety at work. For instance, we have been very vocal against the minimum wage concept, as it reflects a mindset that undervalues work. We believe work should contribute to self-realization and personal dignity, and we aim to reshape the discourse around employment to reflect these values.
**Interviewer:** A significant point you raised was about the projected need for 4 million workers by 2028. What steps are being taken to address the skills gap?
**Maria Teresa Bellucci:** Addressing the skills gap is crucial. We’ve allocated funds to enhance vocational training and align it with the needs of the current job market. Our priority is to integrate new technologies effectively, as we believe this will drive production and employment. We recognize that the pandemic has disrupted many young people’s career aspirations, particularly NEETs, and we aim to guide them towards paths that help them build the necessary skills for their future.
**Interviewer:** what advice would you give to young people who may not be pursuing their dream jobs right now?
**Maria Teresa Bellucci:** I encourage young people to remain open to various work experiences. While they may not land their ideal job immediately, every position can provide valuable skills and insights that pave the way towards their dreams. It’s important to take steps—no matter how small—toward personal and professional growth. This journey is a vital foundation for achieving their ultimate career aspirations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Deputy Minister Bellucci. It’s clear that the government is taking significant steps to shape the future of work in Italy.
**Maria Teresa Bellucci:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we work together to empower our workforce and build a brighter future for all Italians.
