Mattarella in Reggio Emilia anticipates May 1st: “Precarious work clashes with development, Pnrr unparalleled opportunity”

A country united by work which is the “engine of social cohesion”. Therefore broadening its base and quality must be a “constant worry” at every level, including institutional ones. Against precariousness “as a system that clashes with growth”. Against child exploitation and discrimination against women. But also a message to the government on the Pnrr “unparalleled opportunity”.

These are the fundamental passages of the president’s message Sergio Mattarella which anticipated Labor Day in Reggio Emilia. “We celebrate the value of May 1st with necessary advance – Mattarella began – in the heart of the Mechatronics district, in Reggio Emilia. After last year, in Udine, this time we anticipate the celebration of Labor Day in a workplace that looks to innovation. A reality that reaffirms the constitutional value of work and underlines, at the same time, how it is confirmed as the engine of growth and social cohesion of the Republic”.

“Constant harassment at every level, starting with the institutions”

“May Day is the feast of the dignity of work. – continued Mattarella – It is the feast of the Republic founded on work. Work is a right and Luigi Einaudi himself – rigorous liberal master of economics – in response to the appeal of George LaPira ‘in defense of poor people’, in which he indicated the fight against unemployment and the eradication of poverty as the primary commitment of the State – we are in 1950 – he stated that ‘the modern State has as its first task not to create unemployment and poverty’, listing the reasons that aggravate them. Work is also a duty. Article 4 of the Constitution reminds us of this”. That is why, “Expanding the basis of work, and its quality, must be a constant worry at every level, starting from the institutions”.

Then the message against precariousness. “Companies are looking for qualified and trained personnel. Precariousness as a system clashes with the goals of growth and development. If the figures are worrying and known, and denounce a high rate of inactivity in Italy compared to European parameters, an adequate response can come only by a concrete commitment to collective mobilization that knows how to enhance the great heritage of skills present in our country”.

“The Pnrr is an unparalleled opportunity”

The head of state has returned to talking about the Pnrr. “The image of the construction site brings us back to Cantiere Italia, to the Pnrr construction site, with the unparalleled opportunity it offers to reduce and fill structural delays, support growth strategies and encourage more widespread opportunities with innovation. Opportunities that challenge the system of businesses to ground the various initiatives”.

“The unity of the country means substantial unity in terms of job opportunities. – Mattarella underlined – It means a commitment to remove territorial inequalities. Overseeing and promoting national unity also means this”.

“Work is a sign of dignity because it is closely linked to each person’s life project. And, then, while the temptation to surrender to the idea that poor work can exist, whose remuneration does not allow one to lead a decent life instead, it is necessary to forcefully affirm the character of work as the first, elementary, constructive way of redistributing the income produced”.

“Work against discrimination against women”

There is a “close relationship between work, social cohesion and the stability of institutions and, therefore, of democracy. Work, therefore, for the full exercise of citizenship rights. Work as an antidote, as an effective tool to fight profitably widespread discrimination and illegality. Work is a parameter that allows us to measure the actual level of equality, in terms of employment and wages, between women and men. In order to verify compliance with the provisions of Article 37 of our Constitution : “Working women have the same rights and, for equal work, the same wages as workers. Working conditions must allow for the fulfillment of her essential family function and ensure the mother and child special, adequate protection” “.

“The unacceptable costs” of workplace accidents and child labor “which steals the future from young people”

“Another aspect to highlight is that of accidents at work, which destroy lives, throw families into despair, cause irreversible damage, with unacceptable human costs. We are well aware that the battles of the workers’ union movement have contributed significantly to achieving obvious goals of social progress and that Italy, in its transformation, has taken gigantic steps of growth and progress. But the contradictions often tend to reproduce themselves, as in every human event”

“A recent report has highlighted how exploited child labor is still a present scourge. Exploitation of minors constitutes a serious theft of the future, taking away these children from school and pushing them towards marginality. It is a theme that also concerns the condition of many immigrant workers”.

Best wishes to the Concertone

Finally, the head of state addressed a message to the Concertone. “I wish a serene and festive day to the young people at the Concertone in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome. The music also underlines the connection of hope between the words “work” and “peace”.