Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) - Italy (Ratification: 1981)

Articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. National policy to encourage permanent or regular employment for dockworkers. Cooperation between the social partners to improve the efficiency of work in ports. The Committee notes with satisfaction the Government’s comprehensive detailed report, which contains information on the implementation of Legislative Decree No. 81 of 15 June 2015, as well as a copy of the national collective agreement (CCNL) on dock work currently in force for 2016–18. Through Decree No. 81/2015, the Government revised the national framework regulating employment contracts. With respect to dockworkers, the Government reiterates its previous comments that most dockworkers are employed by authorized port companies and hold employment contracts of indefinite duration. It adds that this does not exclude the possibility of engaging dockworkers on other types of employment contracts provided for by Decree No. 81/2015, which include: (i) temporary agency work contracts (sections 30–40); (ii) part-time work (sections 4–12); (iii) fixed-term contracts (sections 19–29); and (iv) apprenticeships (sections 41–47). The Government indicates that the employment relationship and type of contract according to professional category are regulated by the CCNL. It adds that representative organizations of employers and workers were involved during the negotiation of the CCNL, noting that the dock work sector has a longstanding tradition of active involvement by the social partners at the national and local levels. The Committee notes that, pursuant to section 15 of Act No. 84 of 28 January 1994, as amended, the social partners are also members of the commission responsible for the organization of dock work and other relevant tasks. In order to secure the greatest social advantage of new methods of cargo handling, the Government indicates that, in accordance with section 29 of Act No. 164 of 11 November 2014, a Strategic National Plan of Dock Work and Logistics (Piano Strategico Nazionale della Portualità e della Logistica) was launched in 2015. The Strategic Plan seeks to promote the intermodal transport system and is expected to support the economic recovery of the country. The Committee notes that the Plan also established a committee for each port authority (composed of representatives of the public authorities, employers and workers) with socio-economic consultant functions. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply up-to-date information on the numbers of dockworkers, disaggregated by sex, age and type of contract, and on variations in their numbers during the reporting period. The Committee would also welcome receiving information regarding the results achieved in implementing the Strategic National Plan of Dock Work and Logistics and the measures taken to promote cooperation between the social partners to improve the efficiency of work in ports (Article 5).