Presentation of living and working conditions in Italy in Nov. 2009 by Stefania Garofalo, EURES (EURopean Employment Services) Adviser Italy

1. Living and
working in
Italy
10/11/2009
STEFANIA GAROFALO
EURES Adviser Pordenone, Italy

2. AGENDA
• ITALY: FACTS AND FIGURES
• THE JOB MARKET
• HOW TO FIND A JOB
• DOCUMENTS AND FORMALITIES
• THE FISCAL SYSTEM
• SOCIAL SECURITY
• LIVING IN ITALY

5. FACTS & FIGURES

6. Political system:
Parliamentary
Republic
Capital:
Rome
Total area:
301,336 km²
Population:
59,131 million
Foreign residents:
2,938 million
Currency:
Euro
Language:
Italian
Regions:
20 (107 PROV...)
Total seashore:
7,375 km

7. MAIN CITIES

8. THE LABOUR MARKET
IN ITALY

9. UNEMPLOYMENT
NORTH 3.8%
CENTRE 6.1%
SOUTH 12.2%

10. North:
69.1%
Centre:
65.8%
South:
62.5%

11. EMPLOYMENT BY BRANCH

12. PROFESSIONS MOST AND LEAST IN DEMAND
SHORTAGES …
HEALTH CARE SECTOR:
Nurses
CONSTRUCTION:
Carpenters, welders, bricklayers…storekeepers
SERVICES:
Hotels & Restaurants: chefs, waiting staff…
IT: computer system designers, analysts and specialists
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SECTORS: commercial sales
representatives, secretaries, accountants
ENGINEERS: esp. Mechanical, and Electrical
… SURPLUSES:
INDUSTRY:
ITALY
(manufacturing, production…) 8%
AGRICULTURE

13. GRADUATES: WHERE
TO FIND WORK
YES
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(MECHANICAL)
ENGINEERING
THEME PARKS
Graduates in Commerce,
Architecture, IT, Multimedia,
Engineering, Design, Psychology,
Communications
NO
HOSPITALS
UNIVERSITIES
LAW

14. WORK LAW
Written contracts
Temporary (the norm), Permanent, on
Project
Trial period: variable
(depending on sector and qualification)
No national minimum wage, but collective
agreements (btw trade unions and employers
org.)
Work hours: 40 hours/week (max 48)
Holiday: 4 weeks/year
Maternity: 2+3+6 months
Salary gap: men/women, and age
Expected to take own initiatives

15. SALARIES & PURCHASING POWER
Level of annual net salary of an Great Britain 28.007
employee, without family, in
2006, in euro at a parity of Netherlands 23.289
purchasing power (Source: A Germany 21.235
Eurispes elaboration of CSE
data) Ireland 21.112
Finland 19.890
Denmark 18.735
France 19.731
Belgium 19.729
Spain 17.412
Greece 16.720
Italy 16.242
Portugal 13.136

16. HOW TO FIND A JOB
IN ITALY

17. HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB IN ITALY
Application:
Personal letter (max 1 page, often less)
CV (1-2 pages, in Italian, typewritten, with or without photo)
e-mail is an accepted way for applications
European
format or
Europass training
Convincing,
clear, sincere
You may be asked to
present evidence of
professional
qualifications and
diplomas later on (at
the interview)

18. Cover letter
Brief & effective
Not a mere rehash of CV!
Re (or Subject): offer no. & position
Strong points (see advertisement)
Personal characteristics (team work,
under stress, adaptability, out-going
personality, seriousness, willingness
to improve,…)
Personal & professional
expectations (experience, hobbies,
interests,…)

19. INTERVIEW: FREQUENT
QUESTIONS
Why do you want to work in Italy?
Tell us about yourself: what have you done in the last few
years?
Do you like travelling? Reading? Your last trip/book …
Describe yourself with 3 adjectives.
How would you evaluate yourself?
What do you know about our company?
If you could choose, wich kind of job would you like to do?
What wouldn’t you like to do?
What is your professional (career) plan?

20. WHO CAN HELP YOU FIND A JOB
NO SINGLE DATABASE FOR ALL ITALIAN JOB OFFERS
Public employment services – Job centre administered by the
Provinces and coordinated by the Regions
Free services: reception, orientation, supply and demand matching,
preselection for employers
Job agencies – autorized by the Ministry of Labour (list on the site
www.lavoro.gov.it or www.welfare.gov.it/EuropaLavoro/Indirizzario)
Services offered for free to the worker but charged to the employers:
mediation, research and personnel selection
Other operators authorized by law: Universities, town councils
(Informagiovani: www.comune.torino.it/infogio/cig), trading associations
(Chambers of Commerce, Api, Confesercenti…), etc.

21. HOW TO LOOK FOR A JOB IN ITALY
EURES www.europa.eu.int/eures
Job centres: www.welfare.gov.it/EuropaLavoro/Indirizzario
or check the lavoro (job) section in www.regione.XXX.it or
www.provincia.XXX.it
www.borsalavoro.it/wps/portal National Labour Exchange
Direct applications to companies using the Yellow Pages
website: www.paginegialle.it

22. WHAT IS EURES?
EURES (EURopean Employment Services) is an initiative created in 1993
to support mobility in Europe.
32 States: European Economic Area ( = the 28 Member States of the UE,
plus Norway, Iceland e Lichtenstein) and Switzerland.
Partner of the network: Public services for employment, trade union and
employers’ organisations, local administration, other social partners
(represented by universities, NGOs, etc…). The network is co-ordinated by
the European Commission.
The main objectives of EURES are:
To provide information and advice for the benefit of workers
and employers on job possibilities and living and working conditions
in the EEA;
To assist employers who intend to recruit workers from other countries;
To provide information and solve problems related to crossborder
commuting.
… and all of the above is completely free!

23. USEFUL LINKS: TURISM
OLYJOB POINT: www.lavorosenzafrontiere.org or
www.comune.torino.it/olyjob/info.htm (Job centres
exclusively dedicated to the tourism/accomodation and
services sectors in Piemonte Region)
Liguria Region: http://www.iolavoroliguria.it/cgi-
bin/liguria/iolavoro/home.do
Riviera of Romagna: Riminimpiego: www.riminimpiego.it
Gorizia, Monfalcone and Grado:
http://www.provincia.gorizia.it/lavoro/custom/home.php
Valle d’Aosta: http://www.adava.vao.it/ (hoteliers’
organisation) and www.regione.vda.it – Offerte di lavoro
(PES job offers)

24. USEFUL LINKS: NORTHERN ITALY
Friuli Venezia Giulia:
Udine:
http://www.provincia.udine.it/italiano/Ente/Uffici/PolSocLavColl
/LavColl/LavColl/Offertelavoro1/index.aspx
Trieste:
http://www.provincia.trieste.it/sportellolavoro/vis_articolo.asp?
pagina=-&link=2&tipo=articoli_sezioni_35&ids=35
Veneto: Venezia: http://portalelavoro.provincia.venezia.it
Südtirol:
Trento:www.agenzialavoro.tn.it/lavoratori (job offers by
PES and by Bilateral Organisation for Turism)
Bozen: http://www.provincia.bz.it/borsalavoro
EURES TT (Tirol, Südtirol, Cantone Grigioni):
http://www.eures-transtirolia.eu/
Tourin: http://www.provincia.torino.it/cgi-
bin/lavoro/bacheca_lavoro/index.cgi
Liguria: http://www.iolavoroliguria.it/cgi-
bin/liguria/iolavoro/home.do
Genoa: www.provincia.genova.it/match

25. USEFUL LINKS: CENTRAL ITALY
Emilia-Romagna:
http://www.provincia.bologna.it/lavoro/Engine/RAServeP
G.php/P/263011070707
http://www.provincia.fe.it/lavoro
http://www.provincia.forli-
cesena.it/lavoro/cpi/offerte/fo/sel_cpi_fc.asp
http://www.lavoro.provincia.modena.it/centrimpiego/cerc
alavoro/default.asp http://lavoro.parma.it/
http://silweb.provincia.piacenza.it/silpub/
http://www.lavoro.ra.it/pagine/offerte.php?t=offerte_lavo
ro
http://www.provincia.re.it/page.asp?IDCategoria=701&ID
Sezione=4543

26. USEFUL LINKS: SOUTHERN ITALY
Abruzzo:
L’aquila:http://www.provincia.laquila.it/OfferteLavoro.aspx
Pescara: http://www.pescaralavoro.it/listaofferte.asp
Chieti: https://chieti.retedellavoro.it/listaofferte.asp
Teramo: http://www.provincia.teramo.it/teramolavoro
Marche:
Macerata: www.lavoro.mc.it and www.formazionelavoro-mc.it
(www.provincia.mc.it)
Puglia: www.sistema.puglia.it/eures
Lecce: www.pugliaimpiego.it
Euro-Jobbing Bari: www.euro-jobbing.com
Rete Informa Puglia: www.reteinforma.it
Sicilia: http://www.lavoro.regione.sicilia.it/b@checa/

27. OTHER USEFUL LINKS
www.welfare.gov.it
www.jobtel.it (personalised service)
www.jooble.it (job search engine)
National or Regional Official Gazette for competitions
Job offers on newspapers:
www.corriere.it (on Friday)
www.repubblica.it (on Thursday)
www.ilsole24ore.com (on Tuesday)
www.lastampa.it
www.italiaoggi.it
Free local press: Tuttocittà, Affarefatto, La Bancarella …
e-Jobguide www.ejg.info (professional training, training courses
and recognition of qualifications. Sectors: IT/high-tech, metal and
mechanical industry, electrical engineering, tourism and
health/social sector).

28. DOCUMENTS AND
FORMALITIES

29. WHAT DO I NEED
Since April 11th, 2007 (Legislative Decree 30/2007, Directive 2004/38/EC),
citizens of European Union and European Economic Area no longer need any
kind of work permit or visa!
For a stay of up to three months
(Directive 2004/38 CE Parl)
Document of identity or valid passport
For a stay of more than 3 months
Registration at registry office Local Council (Municipio)
Fiscal code/number, obtainable at the Agenzia Entrate with valid ID
European Healt Card (TEAM) ASL offices
Insurance policy that may cover any possible health expenses
CV and cover letter (better if in Italian)
Good knowledge of Italian
Experience and/or a degree

30. SOME ADVICE
BEFORE LEAVING …
Make sure to read the CCNL (rights and
duties)
Before accepting a job offer, get your
potential employer to send you a signed
fax indicating work conditions: work-
hours, pay packet, start date and
accomodation (where necessary)
Verify the method of payment and the
frequency with which you will receive
your salary
Make sure you have a sufficient budget
prior to receiving your first salary, or to
return home in case of necessity
E 303 form if you have the
unemployment benefit (max 3 months)

31. SOME ADVICE
… BEFORE RETURNING HOME
Keep all your work documents
Request the “E” series forms (specifically the E 301 to
request pension or social benefits on your return)
Ensure you resolve fiscal matters: working in another
Member State and transferring your residence there, in
general you become “resident for fiscal purposes” in such
a country. The definition of fiscal residence changes from
one Member State to the next (See bilateral conventions
in fiscal matters, in particular to avoid double taxation)

32. USEFUL LINKS – Rules & Bodies
YourEurope:
ec.europa.eu/youreurope/
Embassies:
www.embpage.org
Police:
www.poliziadistato.it/pds/
chisiamo/questure/link.htm
Tax administration:
www.agenziaentrate.it

33. THE FISCAL SYSTEM
IN ITALY

35. COMPARISON ITALY-UE STATES Gross salary 2004
Denmark 42,484
Germany 41,046
Comparison among Italy and other major OECD UK 39,765
States (OECD “Taxing Wages 2004-2005”, 2006) Netherland 37,026
Belgium 35,578
Sweden 32,457
Finland 31,539
Ireland 30,170
France 29,549
Italy 22,053
Spain 19,828
Greece 17.360
Portugal 12,969
Salary growth 2000-2005
UK +27,8
Norway +25,6
Netherlands +21,3
Finland +21,1
France +17,5
Spain +17,2
Portugal +16,6
Denmark +16,0
Belgium +15,9
Italy +13,7
Green bars: taxes paid by employee. Germany +11,7
Red bars: taxes paid by employer. Sweden + 7,7

36. THE SOCIAL SECURITY
SYSTEM IN ITALY

37. Switzerland 75%
SUBSIDIES & Ireland
Iceland
73%
73%
WELFARE Finland
Norway
72%
71%
Average Net Replacement Netherlands 71%
Rates
Luxembourg 70%
Sweden 70%
List of OECD States with
the highest replacement Austria 62%
rates with respect to Belgium 62%
salaries for those
unemployed for more Germany 62%
than 60 months UK 62%
(unemployment benefit +
other benefits linked to France 61%
welfare and taking into Portugal 61%
consideration 4 different Poland 59%
types of family)
Source: OECD (2005) Czech Republic 58%
Japan 57%
Australia 51%
Spain 49%
Each Province/Region Hungary 42%
may have its own specific United States 30%
support mechanisms, Greece 24%
different or in addition to ITALY 7%
national incentives OECD average 55%

38. What do I have to do…?
For employees, employers must complete all the necessary
formalities for social security registration. The contributions of
employees are deducted from the gross total of the salary.
Free-lance workers must register themselves and pay
contributions into either a separate social security fund (Cassa) or
else directly to INPS.
HIRING INCENTIVES & SUPPORTS:
APPRENTICESHIP (Apprendistato) for youngsters (>30)
PLACEMENT CONTACT (Contratto di Inserimento)
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT
L 407/90
“CASSA INTEGRAZIONE”
“MOBILITÀ”

39. HIRING INCENTIVES:
Apprenticeships (Apprendistato)
for young adults between 18 & 29
years
Companies who hire apprentices
receive contributions from the
State: the worker costs them
half of the usual amount!

40. SUBSIDIES: Unemployment
Benefit
NECESSARY PREREQUISITES:
Declaration of availability (Job Centre) - no resignations
Social Security payments to INPS for at least 2 years before the dismissal (also in
other MSs – TOTALIZATION)
At least 52 weeks of tax payments in the two-year period or
At least 78 working days in the year
FOR HOW LONG:
Integrated Contact Centre INPS INAIL
8 months for those < 50 years TEL +39.803.164: information on legal
aspects & single cases.
12 for those > 50 years
HOW MUCH DO I RECEIVE?
From 2008, 60% for the first 6 months, 50% for the 7th month, 40% for the rest

41. To transfer unemployment benefit
(Reg. CE 1408/71 e 574/72)
You must be registered as unemployed from at least 4 weeks in the
State of origin
You must inform your local job centre at least 2-4 weeks
beforehand
Before leaving from your country, you must ask for the E303 form
(total amount, duration etc. of the benefit payments received) at
the INPS offices where the payments were made
Within 7 days from leaving, you must register yourself as an
unemployed person in search of work by presenting the E303 at the
public service office of the “new” State
Those who receive unemployment benefits can avail of this transfer
service for up to 3 months
Form E 301: totalization/accumulation of the insurance periods

42. LIVING IN ITALY

44. COST OF LIVING
A bottle of water 1.60 €
Coffee 0.90 €
Cappuccino & croissant 1.90 €
Pizza 8.50 €
Pasta dish (macaroni) 5.00 €
Meat dish 5.50 €
Fish dish 7.90 €
Dessert 3.50 €
Ice cream 3.00 €
Sandwich 2.70 €
Bus (bus pass) - 10 tickets 8.00 €
Source: La Repubblica, 8th August 2008

45. APARTMENTS & FLATS
Source: www.sunia.it (December 2007- June 2008)

46. FINDING ACCOMODATION
Hotels and lodgings:
www.hotelitaliani.it
B&Bs:
www.anbba.it
www.bedandbreakfast.it
www.bbitalia.it
Youth Hostels:
www.ostellionline.org
Camp Sites:
www.camping.it
www.campeggitalia.com
www.camping-italy.net
Rooms to rent:
www.sunia.it
www.sicet.it
www.uppi.it
Further Info: National Tourism Board
www.enit.it

47. OPENING A BANK
ACCOUNT
To open a bank account in Italy you must be over 18,
have a valid ID and a tax code (codice fiscale)
Upon signing the contract, you must deposit a sum of
money so as to be provided with a current account
number and credit card
It is useful to open an account in the branch of an Italian
bank in your own country and to lodge a sum of money

48. DRIVING LICENSE
There is currently no common EU driving license, but
the EU Member States have introduced a “European
model” recognised in other countries
The principle of “mutual recognition” is generally
applied
Driving licenses issued before 1996 are still valid
(some States require additional data to be entered
onto the license)
Transfer of residence: no substitution
If the event you reside in another EU Member State
and drive your car there for more than 6 months, it is
necessary to register the car with the local authorities
and pay the host country’s registration tax
Car insurance: valid throughout the Union

49. Thank you for your attention
and good luck!
Stefania Garofalo
EURES Adviser
email: stefania.garofalo@provincia.pordenone.it
tel. +39 (0) 434 80083