ABSTRACT ENGLISH

After providing  an overview of the role of bilateral bodies in the Italian industrial relations system, the study – that was carried out between June 2010 and June 2011 – offers an in-depth analysis of the legal status, of the organisation and structure of these joint bodies. The purpose of the work is to assess whether the introduction of modern bilateral bodies can contribute to provide a solution to the problems affecting the fisheries sector. The present legislation strengthens the role of bilateral bodies, that are called upon to make up for long-existing deficiencies of the current social protection system. Along  the traditional functions in terms of welfare and social security support, as provided by collective agreements, these bodies are now assigned the task to manage and regulate the labour market. Bilateral bodies are in charge of information services and are required to provide guidance, advice and support to mobility, as well as to match labour supply and demand  (Art. 6, par. 3 Legislative Decree. No. 276/2003). Also with reference to training contracts, bilateral bodies must continue to play a fundamental role. In this respect, collective agreements and the relevant legislation, at both state and regional level, established long ago the functions of these bodies, especially with regard to vocational training, management of inter-professional funds for training,   apprenticeship schemes and so called “access-to-work contracts”. Another function assigned to bilateral bodies concerns the certification of employment contracts. They also monitor and guarantee  compliance with contribution obligations  by issuing the “Durc certificate”, and provide for conciliation in labour disputes (Articles 76 et seq. of Legislative Decree No. 276/2003). Recent legislation has also acknowledged the potential of these bodies in terms of organisational functions, thanks to their technical expertise in effectively supporting businesses to improve safety conditions at work (Art. 51 Legislative Decree No. 106/2009). Furthermore, while waiting for a systematic reform of the welfare system, the law establishes that bilateral bodies, in combination with the public sector, directly provide for the payment of unemployment allowances where the relevant law is not applicable (art. 19 l. 2 / 2009). In the light of the above, through an analysis of the functions assigned to these bodies, the study offers an evaluation of the state of implementation of Decree No. 276/2003, with the aim to assess the extent to which the model provided by law has been applied to the fisheries sector and what was – and what will be – the ability of institutions in this sector to take up this opportunity . The whole sector will certainly benefit from the first bilateral experiences of modern bilateral bodies, that, pursuant to the Law introduced in 2003, are able to provide an answer to some of the questions that employers and trade union actors have been asking for years.