On June 8 and 9, 2025, Italy will hold important abrogative referendums concerning labor laws and citizenship regulations, with five critical questions on the ballot. This referendum process is a significant opportunity for voters to influence key aspects of Italian law, particularly regarding employment rights and the criteria for obtaining citizenship.
The Municipality of Monopoli (Ba) has announced a call for volunteers to serve as substitute presidents and scrutineers during these referendums. Interested individuals are encouraged to email [email protected] to express their willingness to take on these roles. The deadline for submissions is 23:59 on May 25, 2025, and applicants must include a copy of their identification document.
To qualify as a President of Seggio, candidates must be Italian citizens, registered on the electoral rolls, and possess at least a high school diploma. The selection process will favor those with prior experience as polling station presidents or scrutineers. Notably, individuals over the age of 70, employees of certain ministries, and candidates for the elections are excluded from these positions.
Voters will decide on five referendums, which include questions about the "Contract of employment with increasing protection - Discipline of illegitimate dismissals: Abrogation" and the "Exclusion of joint and several liability of the client, contractor, and subcontractor for injuries suffered by the employee of the contracting or subcontracting company." The fifth question pertains to the requirement for obtaining Italian citizenship, specifically proposing to halve the residency period from ten years to five for non-EU foreign adults.
The first referendum aims to repeal a key provision of the Jobs Act, which was introduced by the Renzi government in 2015. This provision eliminated the right to reinstatement for employees in companies with more than 15 workers who were unlawfully dismissed, instead offering only financial compensation. The repeal could significantly affect over 3.5 million workers.
The second referendum addresses the cap on compensation for unlawful dismissals in small businesses, where current regulations limit severance pay to a maximum of six months' salary. Advocates for the repeal argue that this cap is inadequate and does not deter unjust firings.
The third referendum seeks to revise the rules surrounding fixed-term employment contracts, which have seen a rise in usage. This proposal would require employers to provide legitimate reasons for employing workers on fixed-term contracts, aiming to reduce job instability.
The fourth question concerns the liability of contractors in the event of workplace accidents. Currently, the law limits liability to the contracting or subcontracting company, but the proposed change would extend this responsibility to the client company as well, addressing safety concerns in the workplace.
Finally, the fifth referendum proposes to reduce the residency requirement for non-EU foreign adults seeking Italian citizenship from ten years to five. This change could potentially benefit around 2.5 million foreign residents in Italy.
To successfully pass, the referendums must reach a quorum of at least 50% plus one of the eligible voters. This requirement poses a significant challenge, particularly as local elections will occur in 117 municipalities across fourteen regions on May 25 and 26, 2025. The overlap of these elections may impact voter turnout during the referendums.
The promoters of the referendums, including the CGIL and various associations, have been actively campaigning since March 25, 2024, gathering over four million signatures to support their cause. The significance of these referendums cannot be understated, as they address critical issues affecting the workforce and the rights of citizens.
As the voting dates approach, discussions surrounding the referendums have intensified, with various political parties expressing diverse opinions. Supporters argue that these changes are necessary to protect workers' rights and ensure fair treatment in the workplace, while opponents fear that such reforms could lead to unintended consequences.
In the lead-up to the referendums, it remains to be seen how many voters will engage with the process and whether the necessary quorum can be achieved. The outcome of these referendums could reshape labor laws and citizenship requirements in Italy for years to come, making it a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape.
As the electoral process unfolds, citizens are encouraged to participate actively, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of labor and citizenship rights in Italy. The referendums represent a crucial opportunity for voters to express their opinions on significant legislative matters that impact their lives directly.
