The memorandum of understanding for the security and legality for the reconstruction in the territories of the island of Ischia affected by the seismic events of 21 August 2017 and the flood of 26 November 2022.
The protocol was signed at the Municipality of Casamicciola Terme by the prefect of Napoli, Michele di Bari, the prefect Paolo Canaparo, Director of the Anti-Mafia Prevention Structure of the Ministry of the Interior, the Extraordinary Commissioner for post-earthquake and post-landslide reconstruction, Giovanni Legnini, the vice-president of the Campania Region, Fulvio Bonavitacola, the mayors of the six municipalities of the island, as well as various bodies such as the ASL Napoli 2, the management of the Inspectorate of the Metropolitan Area of Naples, Inail and INPS, the trade unions and associations of building contractors.
The Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, illustrated the general lines of the Agreement - drawn up in agreement between all the institutional interlocutors involved - which is part of the so-called pact system of anti-mafia measures and is aimed at expanding and strengthening the scope of the measures for the prevention and fight against the phenomenon of infiltration of organized crime and, more generally, the widespread forms of illegality in the public works sector. The pact instrument also has the purpose of ensuring, in the various phases of the production process, the protection of health and safety in the workplace and of effectively fighting irregular work. To this end, the application of the current collective bargaining of the construction sector, national and territorial, stipulated by the employers' and workers' associations that are comparatively more representative at the national level, is enhanced. The content of the protocol, although calibrated to the specificity of public construction sites, can be extended, to the extent compatible, also to private construction sites that benefit from public contributions as well as to some types of services and supplies considered "sensitive". The provisions apply regardless of the amount of the procurement, subcontracting, assignment and sub-assignment contracts.
Prefect Paolo Canaparo, director of the Anti-Mafia Prevention Structure established at the Ministry of the Interior to carry out investigations into economic operators involved in the reconstruction of areas of the national territory hit by seismic events, including that of Ischia, declared – as can be read in a note – “that the signing of the protocol is clear evidence of the common commitment to strengthen the protection of legality in the delicate phase of reconstruction”.
“Protecting legality means not only preventing attempts at mafia infiltration but also ensuring safety in the workplace and combating the exploitation of personnel employed on construction sites,” added Canaparo.
These latter aspects should not be underestimated because it is precisely when attention is lowered and defense tools are weakened that criminal organizations find fertile ground to realize their illicit interests. Working together, as foreseen by today's agreement, therefore means giving a strong signal of cohesion and unity of purpose, the demonstration of a shared strategy to provide concrete and effective responses to the affected communities, to the business system and to all the workers involved in the reconstruction".
The Extraordinary Commissioner, Giovanni Legnini, thanked the Prefect of Naples for having accepted his invitation and promoted the signing of this important protocol between local institutions, social partners and the mission structure of the Ministry of the Interior, to guarantee legality and safety in public and private construction sites engaged in post-earthquake and post-landslide work.
He also stressed the duty of all interested parties to ensure that this difficult but necessary reconstruction process takes place in full compliance with the rules, avoiding any infiltration and guaranteeing safety in the workplace.
Finally, the Commissioner reiterated the strong cohesion between all the institutions involved in the reconstruction process on the eve of new important legislative interventions that should help unblock a situation that has remained stuck for too long.
The vice president of the Campania Region, Fulvio Bonavitacola, emphasized how the protocol signed today, particularly detailed, in the name of legality and safety at work, represents the beginning of a new season for the rebirth of the island after a dark period full of difficulties. The prefect Michele di Bari concluded the meeting, thanking all the signatories for their commitment and the precious contribution provided to reach the agreement, of an absolutely innovative nature in the field of procurement.
Article published on 12 April 2024 - 19:41
