On 29th December 2025, Federterziario and UGL signed the renewal of the national collective labor agreement for employees of micro, small, and medium enterprises in the Tertiary, Trade, and Services sector for the period 2025/2028. The signed agreement, as stated by the Social Parties, strengthens protection, competitiveness, and modernisation of work. It responds effectively to the requirements of companies and workers in a rapidly changing market.
Economically, the new agreement forecasts an average increase in minimum wage rates of 13.61%, divided into three tranches. The first increase will occur when the contract comes into force, the second from 1st July 2026 and the third from 1st March 2027.
One of the key points of the agreement is the revision and updating of the classification system and professional roles. There is a specific emphasis on the ICT sector with a more detailed breakdown of levels introduced to align with the advancement of digital skills. The agreement also includes the introduction of the criterion of horizontal “fungibility”. This arrangement allows employees to be deployed in different activities within the same level of classification. This brings more organisational flexibility to companies while increasing opportunities for professional growth and job stability for employees.
For temporary needs related to activity peaks, exhibitions, holidays, digitalisation processes, organisational innovation and fixed-term projects requiring specialist skills, the agreement allows for contracts with a duration longer than 12 months.
The agreement also gives significant recognition to second-level bargaining as a strategic tool for enhancing productivity, corporate welfare and quality of work. It also promotes continuous training, supported through bilateral tools, as a fundamental element to accompany the processes of technological and organisational transition.
