Cassa integrazione guadagni e testo unico: ossimori e vecchi merletti [Short time earnings funds: Consolidated law and old lace]

The Author analyses the reform of short time earnings funds of decree no. 148/2015 and following integrations and modifications. The study is conducted bearing in mind the constitutional system of social protection for the unemployed and the functional objective of short time earnings funds. In particular, the attempt is that of evaluating the reform in the context of art. 38 of the Italian Constitution. In this light, despite the legislator's good will, the reform falls short time and again of realizing a simplified, universal and coherent system of workers protection in case of temporary reductions or suspension of the firms productive activities. In particular, trade unions' bilateral funds fail to substitute the coverage of public social protection, as it was expected; while they might perform much better in topping up the public system provisions.