Italy: protecting workers in the transport-logistics sectors as well as those involved in home deliveries

While the halting of all non-essential activities that was decided between 21 and 22 March has provoked the ire of the trade unions for being too lax and which may prompt these union towards strike action (c.f. article No. 11753), agreements specifically designed to protect workers are nonetheless multiplying. On 20 March the Transport Ministry published guidelines (here) formulated together with the social partners that aim to protect workers in the transport and logistics sectors. Home delivery activities, which have surged due to the Covi-19 crisis can now be carried out with zero contact needed between those delivering and those receiving the delivery, and signatures are no longer required upon delivery. For situations when this modus operandi cannot apply, delivery agents should be given facemasks and gloves. These conditions also apply to food delivery workers. The logistics sector is being particularly impacted. Amazon had to contend with strike action during the week 16 March in several of its warehouses including the main warehouse in Castel San Giovanni (Emilia-Romagna), and it has announced that going forward in Italy (and this is also true in France) only essentials goods orders will be accepted for processing. In this way workers’ health can be better safeguarded with the implementation of social/physical distancing and the disinfecting and cleaning of the work areas etc. We note that a protocol was signed at the end of the week 16 March by both the Infrastructure Ministry and the building and construction sector social partners that aims to safeguard the safety of workers who continue to work on essential projects. On 23 March these social partners also signed an agreement (here) to provide salary support to workers who were working on projects and sites that have been halted.