On 20 July 2018, the parties reached an agreement for the renewal of the national collective bargaining agreement for employees of the chemical industry, chemical-pharmaceutical industry, chemical fibres and abrasive, lubricants and LPG industry (the so-called chemical industry contract). The main news from a financial standpoint concern the following: (i) recognition of an increase of EUR 97 gross (category D1) on the minimum economic remuneration during the term of the agreement, which was extended, temporarily, by six months, therefore up to June 2022. The increase is subdivided in 4 instalments: 1 January 2019 in the amount of EUR 30; 1 January 2020 in the amount of EUR 27; 1 July 2021 in the amount of EUR 24; 1 June 2022 in the amount of EUR 16; (ii) confirmation effective from the month of July 2018 of the Edr (distinct element of pay) in the amount EUR 22, to which additional EUR 9 will be added effective from January 2019 deriving from the verifications of the previous agreement. At the end of this new agreement, however, an overall review is planned to ensure alignment of the minimum collective remuneration to the actual inflation. From a regulatory standpoint, in addition to focusing on employment and productivity, the agreement pays specific attention to (i) the improvement in the quality of the industrial relations, (ii) the growing investment on safety, health and environment (even through digital means) and (iii) a major boost to the dissemination of training (promoting youth employment). This is the first National Collective Bargaining Agreement to apply the interconfederal agreement on the bargaining signed on the past 9 March (the so-called Factory Agreement). Now it will be the turn of the employees to speak in the meetings to provide their feedback on the Agreement.
