Background information

On 6 April 2021, the tripartite "Shared protocol for updating the measures to combat and contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 virus in the workplace" was signed between the government and the social partners. The protocol updates and renews the former protocol signed by the social partners on 14 March 2020 and already renegotiated on 24 April 2020, see case IT-2020-11/457 .

Content of measure

The Protocol updates and renews the previous agreements at the invitation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policies and the Minister of Health, which have promoted a new confrontation between the social partners. With this new version, the protocol is modified, reporting various innovations, even if mostly in relation to the new legislation. For example, with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, point 6 of the shared protocol states that "in all cases of sharing work environments, indoors or outdoors, the use of surgical masks or superior personal protective equipment. This use is not necessary in the case of activities carried out in conditions of isolation, in accordance with the provisions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 2 March 2021 ".

Concerning point 8 and business trips. The reference to their suspension/cancellation disappears and it is indicated that "it is appropriate that the employer takes into account the context associated with the different types of trips envisaged, also with reference to the epidemiological trend of the locations of destination".

Another novelty is in point 2 and is related to readmission to work after the infection: "positive workers after the twenty-first day will be readmitted to work only after the negativisation of the molecular or antigenic swab".

Use of measure

No information available.

Contents

• Health and safety

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Trade unions Employers' organisations	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The Protocol was signed by the social partners under the auspices of the Minister of Labor and Social Policies and the Minister of Health.

Views and reactions

The Protocol was signed by the social partners under the auspices of the Minister of Labor and Social Policies and the Minister of Health.

Sources

• 06 April 2021: Protocollo condiviso di aggiornamento delle misure per il contrasto e il contenimento della diffusione del virus SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 negli ambienti di lavoro (www.salute.gov.it)