Gli aumenti contrattuali, l’assegno di inclusione e l’università

·12 min·1 clip

In 2023, over 50,000 Italian university students left for Europe, while only 18,500 European students came to Italy.

The episode begins by discussing upcoming pay increases for millions of private sector workers in Italy, effective from April, due to a new 5% substitute tax on increases from national collective contract renewals signed between 2024 and 2026. This applies only to private sector workers with income up to €33,000, excluding public employees, and covers sectors like commerce, tourism, chemistry, construction, energy, and logistics. A recent circular from the Revenue Agency clarified that the benefit applies to increases paid in 2025 even if the contract was signed earlier. Next, it addresses changes to the 'assegno di inclusione' welfare benefit. Previously, after 18 months of benefits, there was a mandatory one-month stop before renewal. Now, that gap is eliminated, allowing families to renew immediately from the next month. However, upon renewal, the first payment is reduced to 50% of the amount. The benefit remains 18 months, renewable in 12-month periods, and includes a €500 extraordinary contribution for those ending the first period in November 2025. Renewal requires a new application and digital activation pact. The third topic focuses on challenges for Italian universities, described as a 'triple mortgage'. First, brain drain: in 2023, over 50,000 Italian students studied in other European countries like Germany and France, while only 18,500 European students came to Italy. Second, low retention of foreign students: OECD data shows only 17% of foreign students who arrived in 2010 were still working in Italy after five years, dropping to 11% after ten years, much lower than in Germany or France. New study permits for foreign students in Italy are declining. Factors include lower salaries, high cost of living, and language barriers, as noted by Marina Brambilla, rector of the University of Milan. Third, declining birth rates: university enrollments are expected to drop from 2028, potentially losing 100,000 students from current levels. The episode ends with a personal narrative from Urmi, an Italo-Bengalese born in Palermo who moved to Canada in 2010. She studied finance in Montreal, found work easily, and now works in finance. She left Italy due to poor job prospects, lack of recognition at work, toxic culture with after-hours demands, and better opportunities in Canada, though she still visits Italy often. The host invites listeners to share their stories on Instagram.

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