Rome, March 19, 2026 – Yesterday marked the conclusion of a long-awaited and significant step at the Ministry of Labour: the signing of the renewed national framework governing employment relationships for locally hired staff of Embassies and International Organizations operating in Italy. This agreement is not merely a regulatory update, but an act of institutional responsibility toward workers who, often away from the spotlight, contribute daily to the functioning of the country’s international dialogue.
Signed by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the trade unions CEUQ, CGIL, CISL, and UIL, the agreement for the 2026–2028 period introduces safeguards and innovations that strengthen the rights and professional dignity of the sector.
Among the key developments strongly advocated by CEUQ is the adjustment of minimum wage scales, in line with Article 36 of the Italian Constitution, reaffirming the right to fair and adequate remuneration capable of ensuring a free and dignified existence. This measure is particularly necessary in light of the erosion of purchasing power that has affected the workforce across the board in recent years.
On the organizational front, the consolidation of remote working is framed within existing legislation—particularly Law No. 81/2017—with enhanced attention to security and confidentiality requirements, which are essential in the diplomatic context. This represents a careful balance between innovation and the protection of national interests, achieved through a mature and considered agreement.
Significant progress has also been made in welfare and health protection, with extended job retention periods in cases of illness, in line with constitutional principles set out in Articles 32 and 38, which recognize health as a fundamental individual right and guarantee social protection for workers. At the same time, the commitment to continuous training responds to the increasingly central need to enhance skills and promote an efficient and highly qualified sector.
“With this agreement, we ensure legal certainty and economic dignity for a category of workers that is fundamental to Italy’s international dialogue,” stated Pietro Di Tullio, President of the CEUQ Confederation, together with the other trade unions, highlighting not only the technical value of the agreement but also its deeply human significance.
However, alongside satisfaction with the milestone achieved, there is a strong awareness that the path toward full protection of workers’ rights is not yet complete. Sergio Giangregorio, General Secretary of CEUQ Public Sector, drew attention to a still unresolved issue: in several Embassies and Consulates, the right to union membership is effectively restricted—if not obstructed—contrary to the principles enshrined in Article 39 of the Constitution and in international conventions on trade union freedom.
In the same vein, Simone Gentile, Secretary of FEDAE-CoDiAm CEUQ and the only sectoral trade union representative at the negotiating table, denounced ongoing unacceptable behavior by some foreign missions and called for decisive action by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure effective protection of workers’ rights. This issue will be central in the next round of discussions, which will lead to the establishment of an Observatory at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, tasked with monitoring the implementation of the framework and addressing any critical issues.
Alessandra Moschitta, Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the Ministry has taken the concerns raised very seriously and is committed to promoting all possible mediation efforts to ensure respect for rights and proper application of the rules.
This renewal therefore represents a point of balance between law, fairness, and institutional responsibility, but it is also a reminder not to stop here: behind every regulation are people, and behind every recognized right is a step forward toward a fairer, safer, and more humane workplace.
