Italy: with its 2014 “stability bill,” the government kicks off the income tax cut but the social partners say it’s not enough

On September 15, the Council of Ministers approved two finance bills 2014-16.  Lowering the total fiscal burden from 44.3 down to 43.4 percent in 2016, the government claims that its budget act “is a U-turn” in economic and financial planning of these past few years because it “reduces taxes instead of increasing them.”  And, more importantly, it doesn’t “cut social and health spending.”  However, employers and unions say the announced cut is “not enough.”  The maneuver already amounts to €27.3 billion in 2014-16, €11.6 billion of which in 2014.  (Ref.  130630)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Tax cut for workers. The bill provides for the reduction of income tax for employees whose annual gross earnings range between €8,001 and €15,000 and between €15,001 and €55,000. for instance, someone earning €15,001-20,000 will save €152.

Intervention in favor of businesses. The government grants businesses a labor cost cut, limited to €5.6 billion over 3 years, notably via abatement on the regional tax, limited to €40 million, for new permanent recruitments (but only if they effectively inc

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
EU: social partners split over competitiveness and action on job quality
The European Trade Union Confederation and BusinessEurope have published their response to the consultation document on the European Commission's upcoming EU quality jobs initiative. The two...
4 February 2026
2026 TRENDS — Social dialogue, a major challenge in the deployment of AI in companies
mind RH is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a force that goes far beyond efficiency gains and productivity improvements. It is reshaping tasks...
4 February 2026
The major trends of 2026
New regulations coming into force, economic uncertainty, evolving skills requirements… More than ever, the HR function will play a strategic role within organizations in 2026. mind HR...
Germany: collective bargaining negotiations begin in chemical industry
Collective bargaining talks in Germany’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries are due to open this week, covering nearly 580,000 employees across around 1,700 companies. With the sector facing...
3 February 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Oliver Dietrich (IG Metall): “The advent of AI can be a means of deepening social partnership within companies”
In Germany, trade unions want to influence how AI is deployed in companies. Oliver Dietrich is an AI project manager at the regional office of the IG Metall trade union in North Rhine-Westphalia...
2
Germany: collective bargaining negotiations begin in chemical industry
Collective bargaining talks in Germany’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries are due to open this week, covering nearly 580,000 employees across around 1,700 companies. With the sector facing...
3 February 2026
3
EU: social partners split over competitiveness and action on job quality
The European Trade Union Confederation and BusinessEurope have published their response to the consultation document on the European Commission's upcoming EU quality jobs initiative. The two...
4 February 2026
4
Italy: collective agreement for rubber and plastics sector focuses on new skills
A month ahead of schedule, the Federazione Gomma Plastica employers' organisation and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec trade unions have renewed the collective agreement for the rubber and...
5 January 2026
5
Italy: new generational renewal agreement penned at UniCredit
The agreement signed on 30 December by UniCredit, Italy’s second-largest banking group, with the Fabi, First-Cisl, Fisac-Cgil, Uilca and Unisin trade unions aims to continue generational...
6
France: social partner talks extend far beyond contractual terminations
After a false start on 3 December, French social partners resumed talks on 7 January 2026 on potential changes to the unemployment insurance agreement, including the rules governing compensation...
12 January 2026