For thirty years, there has been no independent and verifiable measure of the influence of trade unions and employers’ organisations. A law could break the deadlock, but when it comes to wages, the priority is an immediate safeguard mechanism. And the early renewal of the service sector’s collective agreement points to a possible way forward

For thirty years, we have explained Italy’s wage stagnation with a simple argument: wages are not rising because productivity is not rising. This explanation is largely true for the economy as a whole. But when we look at individual sectors, the picture changes. And it becomes more political

Pension funds can be a useful tool, but you cannot call it ‘pension reform’ when it essentially just decides who will manage savings that workers were already obliged to set aside. Points for consideration

Until now, the Lombard capital has thrived because it attracted young people and enabled them to find work and decide whether to stay. If the cost of housing rises much faster than wages, this becomes increasingly difficult. And the model is in crisis.

Taxing refiners’ profits is a mistake; a cap, as with gas, is preferable. Points to consider

The price of diesel leaving the refinery is not simply the cost of crude oil plus the industrial costs involved in processing it. Useful points to consider before spending any more public money