Italy is one of the most lucrative job markets in the world and the job opportunities in the country just keep increasing every year and 2021 is no different.
With tourism starting up again after the coronavirus pandemic and the economy picking up speed, experts predict a surge in jobs in Italy in 2021. This is bound to attract more job hunters from all around the world. Making a move to a new place can be overwhelming for most people. You might be tempted to just sign the contract and get on with things but it is better to be careful and know your rights well before you begin working in the new country.
Rules for Employment Contracts in Italy
The first thing you have to do is check whether you are eligible to work in Italy or not. Non-Europeans must have a job in hand and a work permit before even arriving in Italy. The rules are slightly lax for Europeans who can arrive in Italy and start the job hunt.
- It is necessary for every employee to have an employment contract if they are working in Italy.
- The employment contract must include details like job role, responsibilities, salary, sick leaves and pay, holidays, and notice periods.
- Both parties must understand and agree with the terms of the contract. If the job seeker does not understand Italian then the contract should be in English. Ideally, the contract should be in both Italian and English.
An employment contract is valid only if all of the above criteria are met.
Types of Employment Contracts
In Italy, employment contracts are of two types. If you are taking up contract work in Italy then you have to sign a fixed-term contract; if you are taking up a permanent job then you have to sign a permanent employment contract. The terms of both are governed by the Italian Civil Code. Here is more information on both of these types of contracts.
- Permanent Employment Contract
If you are being taken on as a permanent employee for a job in Italy in 2021 then you will be made to sign a permanent employment contract. Such contracts are permanent and offer more protection and rights to the employees.
- Fixed Term Contracts
If you are looking for jobs in Italy in 2021 on a contractual basis then you have to sign a fixed term contract. Such contracts can last from 12 months to 24 months and are governed by the National Collective Agreements. Contractual employees in an organisation should not be more than 20% of the permanent employees in the organization. Employers cannot replace permanent employees on strike or on leave by hiring fixed term contract employees.
- Part Time Contracts
The working hours must be clearly specified in part time contracts. The pay and other benefits must be pro-rated on the basis of those extended to full-time employees. Elastic clause and flexible clause can be used by the employer to alter the working hours of part time employees.
- On-Call Contracts
Such contracts state that the employee will be available whenever called upon over a certain period of time. The employees may be entitled to additional wages if they are bound to work whenever they are called upon.
- Apprenticeship Contracts
These are open-ended contracts signed with the intention to provide vocational training to the employee. It is the employer’s prerogative to ensure that the employee gets due to training during the course of the employment.
To learn more about these from a fiscal point of view, check this article about contract work in Italy.
To Conclude
If you are looking for jobs in Italy in 2021 then you must be aware of your rights and the kind of contractual relationship you are entering into with your employer. Employees in Italy are generally well protected with laws and regulations so it makes for an attractive place to work in and if you are looking to make an international move then you should definitely consider a move to Italy.
