Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Italy (Ratification: 1966)

Article 2 of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2013 which includes information in reply to its 2009 direct request. The Committee notes the reduction of resources made available to the National Fund for Social Policies (FNPS) in 2010, when compared to 2008 and 2009 figures. Resources continued to decrease in 2011 and 2012, increasing however in 2013. The Government indicates that reductions occurred partly as a result of regulatory action and changes to the functions of the FNPS. It adds that there are regional differences as the share of social expenditure financed through state resources was lower in northern regions while it increased in most southern regions. In its report, the Government refers to article 117(2)(m) of the Italian Constitution which provides that the central government has exclusive legislative powers in the determination of the essential levels of benefits relating to civil and social entitlements to be guaranteed throughout the national territory.

Furthermore, the Committee notes that the Government introduced a Social Card in 2008 to financially help persons over 65 as well as struggling families who have a child under the age of 3. The beneficiaries of the Social Card are vulnerable groups of the population in particular need, that is, people living in absolute poverty. In 2012, a new Social Card was launched which is granted to beneficiaries adhering to a personalized programme. This experimental measure to combat absolute poverty in selected cities benefitted from a budget of €50 million for a 12-month period. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the impact of the plans and programmes adopted, at the national and regional level, with regard to the “improvement of standards of living”, thereby reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion.