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All social partners involved in approving the text. Unanimous recognition for the contribution of the Fratelli tutti Foundation in drafting the proposals contained in the bill.

A lively and in-depth conference held in the Sala della Lupa in Montecitorio and organized by the President of the Chamber of Deputies’ Labor Commission, Walter Rizzetto, marked the beginning of the journey of the bill on fraternity in the workplace presented by the CNEL (National Council for Economics and Labor) and inspired by the reflections of the Fratelli tutti Foundation’s thematic round table. Read the text here (in Italian).

A few hours later, the trade unions appeared before the committee for the first round of hearings.

All participants highlighted the concrete proposals contained in the bill and how these could be implemented in companies, both in collective and individual bargaining, helping to accompany individuals in a world that is changing at lightning speed due to technological innovations.

Speakers included Walter Rizzetto, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies’ Labor Committee; Ylenia Lucaselli, member of the Budget Committee; Galeazzo Bignami, leader of the Fratelli d’Italia party in the Chamber of Deputies; Renato Brunetta, President of the CNEL (National Council for Economics and Labor); Francesco Occhetta, Secretary General of the Fratelli tutti Foundation; Cesare Damiano, former Minister of Labor for the Democratic Party and President of Lavoro&Welfare; Mattia Pirulli, Confederal Secretary of CISL; Maurizio Marchesini, Vice President of Confindustria; Guido Lazzarelli, Central Director of Labor Policies at Confcommercio; Carlo Alberto Buttarelli, President of Federdistribuzione; Marco Granelli, President of Confartigianato Imprese; Enzo De Fusco, Founder of De Fusco Labour & Legal.

Galeazzo Bignami, leader of the Fratelli d’Italia party in the Chamber of Deputies: “Fraternity and harmony are fundamental in all workplaces. The encyclical Fratelli Tutti has reminded us of these principles, which the bill effectively summarizes. Fraternity is achieved by approving this text together to bring about an ethical dimension to politics.”

Ylenia Lucaselli, member of the Budget Committee: “The highest meaning of this law is to share with others the work that is such a big part of our lives.”

Renato Brunetta, President of CNEL: “All this stems from the initiative of the Fratelli tutti Foundation. CNEL drafted the bill and carried out its task of presenting it to Parliament. It has remained faithful to all constitutional references to fraternity in the workplace.”

Francesco Occhetta, Secretary General of the Fratelli tutti Foundation: “For the founding fathers, work is an exodus, a dynamic, social, and anthropological process. In the Constitution, after ‘law,’ the most recurring words are ‘work’ and ‘workers’: not only as a category, but as a community and fraternal dimension underlying Articles 1 and 4. The social doctrine of the Church was also born out of the theme of work. For this reason, through the working group coordinated by Enzo De Fusco since 2023, the Foundation has been able to act as a catalyst for draft law no. 25 54 presented by the CNEL.”

Cesare Damiano, former Minister of Labor for the Democratic Party and President of Lavoro&Welfare: “We start from the principle of community: family, school, parish, associations, parties, unions, and workplaces. Today we are in a jungle, not a community. Through this bill, I hope we can regain the soul we have lost.”

Walter Rizzetto, President of the Chamber of Deputies Labor Commission: “For the first time in three years as president of the Commission, I have chosen to also be the rapporteur for this bill. We cannot ignore this issue, and we do not conceive of fraternity as an abstract concept. It plays a role and must do so even more at the basis of bargaining.”

Mattia Pirulli, CISL Confederation Secretary: “Hyper-liberalism, globalization, technological innovation. The relationship between work and workers has entered a crisis. Participation and fraternity are two keys to a solution.”

Maurizio Marchesini, Vice President of Confindustria: “We need balance, a balance of interests within companies. The time for strong-arm tactics is over. The moral reference of the bill is very important from this point of view.”

Guido Lazzarelli, Central Director of Labor Policies at Confcommercio: “Giving a perimeter of feasibility to the principle of fraternity has been our concern from the beginning. And there are answers in this text. For example, on collective bargaining. A thousand contracts do not help fraternity.”

Carlo Alberto Buttarelli, President of Federdistribuzione: “In our retail sector, people are the key to success. We have many indicators on the lives of thousands of employees in the distribution world, which is more multicultural than most. We are making them available to this project.”

Marco Granelli, President of Confartigianato Imprese: “The concept of fraternity recalls the social responsibility of businesses, which is in the DNA of craftsmanship. And the bill partly answers the question of how businesses can remain human.”

Enzo De Fusco, Founder of De Fusco Labor & Legal: “Without the contribution of Secretary General Occhetta and the President of the Fratelli tutti Foundation, Cardinal Gambetti, we would not be here today. Since 2023, we have been working behind the scenes with the Labor Table on this initiative. If you don’t create a community environment at work, you lose a piece of life. I hope that two additional points will be included in the bill: one of an economic nature, to promote fraternity through an existing fund at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and another that provides certification for those who adopt these good practices in their companies, which I would call Be Human.”