As April 2025 unfolds, a significant financial boost is on the horizon for over 1.25 million school workers in Italy, including teachers and administrative staff. The upcoming NoiPa payslip, available for viewing starting April 7, 2025, will reflect an average salary increase of approximately 333 euros, a figure that brings much-needed relief to educators and support personnel.
The increase in salaries is attributed to two primary factors: the contractual vacancy allowance and a lump sum related to the government's tax wedge cut. The contractual vacancy allowance, which compensates for the delay in renewing the national collective agreement for the school sector for the three-year period 2022-2025, amounts to 0.5% of the gross monthly salary. This is in addition to a previously recognized increase of 3.35% for the two-year period 2024-2025 and another 0.5% for the non-updating of the previous contract.
Moreover, starting in April, a new increase of 0.6% related to the 2025-2027 contract window will be implemented, further enhancing the financial outlook for school employees. This new measure is expected to be bolstered by an even larger increase beginning in July 2025.
The tax wedge cut, aimed at reducing the burden of taxes on labor, will also contribute to the overall salary increase. Although this measure was formally in effect from January 2025, it only became operational in April, leading to the disbursement of arrears from previous months. For those earning up to 35,000 euros annually, the expected net increase from this measure is between 70 and 100 euros.
For taxpayers with incomes up to 20,000 euros, the tax relief percentages are structured as follows: 7.1% for income up to 8,500 euros; 5.3% for the range between 8,500 and 15,000 euros; and 4.8% for income from 15,000 to 20,000 euros. Those earning between 20,000 and 32,000 euros will benefit from an additional deduction of 1,000 euros, while those exceeding 32,000 euros will see a decreasing benefit calculated up to a ceiling of 40,000 euros.
April 2025 also includes public holidays that can affect the payslip amounts. Notably, both Easter Monday on April 21 and Liberation Day on April 25 are considered paid holidays. Employees who do not work on these days will still be compensated as if they had worked, while those who do work will receive an additional pay increase as stipulated by the collective agreement.
The NoiPa portal, which was temporarily unavailable due to technical maintenance, will be accessible again from the morning of April 7, 2025. This will allow workers to check the details of their payslips, including any extraordinary payments or arrears accumulated in previous months. The portal is essential for verifying the application of the tax wedge cut and other financial adjustments.
However, some employees have expressed concerns regarding the nature of the salary increase. While the contractual vacancy allowance is intended to provide immediate financial relief, critics argue that it is not a true salary increase but rather a benefit paid in advance of the pending contract signing, which remains uncertain. As a result, many workers are left feeling that their paychecks, although larger, do not necessarily reflect a genuine improvement in their financial situation.
Furthermore, the April payslip will feature two distinct components for school staff: an ordinary payslip reflecting the current month's salary and an extraordinary payslip for tax arrears related to the contribution wedge. This dual structure aims to provide clarity and transparency regarding the various components of the salary adjustments.
Looking ahead, the ongoing negotiations for the collective agreement covering the period 2022-2025 may yield further improvements in salaries. As the discussions progress, employees are hopeful that additional financial benefits will be secured, helping to alleviate the stagnation in wages that has plagued the education sector for years.
In summary, the April 2025 salary adjustments represent a critical step towards addressing the financial challenges faced by school workers in Italy. With an average increase of 333 euros, supported by contractual allowances and tax relief measures, educators and staff are poised to receive a much-needed boost in their compensation, even as they await the finalization of their collective agreement.
