Collective bargaining in domestic work and its contribution to regulation and formalization in Italy

Abstract

Collective bargaining relating to domestic work is a rare occurrence and its contributions to regulation and formalization have not yet been addressed by the literature. Italy has one of the highest numbers of domestic workers in Europe and is one of the few countries with a national collective bargaining agreement. Trade unions and associations of family employers have been negotiating agreements since 1974. Based on expert interviews, the results of the present qualitative study suggest challenges and limitations to the collective bargaining process in domestic work in question, but also an ongoing formalization of nonstandard work in an occupation where employment is expanding and dominated by women migrant workers, due to collective bargaining and the commitment of the social partners.