The Campania Region is introducing a minimum wage in public procurement, but with a novel formula: it's not a requirement, but rather a reward system for companies that participate in tenders.
The bill approved last Monday by the government led by Roberto Fico sets a threshold of 9 euros gross per hour, which will however become an evaluation criterion in procurement procedures.
The Campania minimum wage mechanism
The bill—titled "Provisions for the Introduction of a Minimum Hourly Wage in Public Procurement Contracts and Regional Concessions"—now goes to the Regional Council, chaired by Massimiliano Manfredi, for final approval.
How reward scores work
Article 2 of the bill defines the core of the mechanism. Contracting authorities will have to adjust the weight of the bonus criterion, "ensuring in any case that it is not less than three percent of the overall score awarded to the technical offer." In practice, those who commit to paying at least 9 euros gross per hour to their employees—including any subcontractors—obtain additional points in the tender.
But there's more: clients can provide increasing scores for progressive salary brackets above the base threshold. This system incentivizes virtuous companies to offer increasingly better economic conditions to workers.
Controls and sanctions
The rule is not limited to the awarding phase. Contracting authorities will verify "compliance with the commitment undertaken during contract execution." Failure to comply will result in the penalties set forth in the contract, in addition to the provisions of Article 122 of the Procurement Code.
A biennial monitoring system completes the framework: the Executive Committee will be required to submit a report to the Council highlighting the number and value of the contracts involved, the percentage of economic operators who have benefited from the bonus points, and any regulatory and case law developments.
The amount may grow
The €9 gross per hour is not set in stone. The regional council, "after consulting with the relevant council committee," will update the amount annually "taking into account changes in wage levels or the relevant regulatory and case law framework." This mechanism makes the measure dynamic and adaptable to inflation and changes in the labor market.
No impact on the regional budget
Article 5 of the bill guarantees financial stability: "The implementation of this law will not result in new or increased burdens on the regional budget." The administration will fulfill the required obligations with the human, material, and financial resources already available.
The provision is in compliance with Articles 35 and 36 of the Constitution and European Directive 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages, with the stated objective of "promoting the quality of work" and promoting "appropriate, proportionate, and sufficient economic benefits."
Confindustria: first the yes, then the about-face
Yesterday, Tuesday, January 27, Costanzo Jannotti Pecci, president of Confindustria Napoli, expressed his appreciation for the initiative: "The introduction of a minimum wage in public procurement contracts can be a useful tool for selecting the most qualified companies, as well as protecting workers." These words, according to ANSA (2:57 PM), represented "a clear green light."
But twelve minutes later (3:09 PM) the government backtracked. In the second statement from Palazzo Partanna, all reference to the regional initiative disappeared and the hard line returned: "Workers' wages must be defined through collective bargaining. For us, the principle to be safeguarded is that, in all its components, wages should be an expression of national and company-level agreements."
A sudden change of direction that raises questions about the pressure exerted by the leader of Neapolitan industrialists. What happened in those twelve minutes? Speculation is rife in regional political and union circles as the bill heads for council consideration.
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Comments (1)
The minimum wage law seems like a good idea, but there are questions about how it will be implemented. The bonus points could cause confusion for businesses. Let's hope this system doesn't pose any legal complications in the future.