Craft reform, Granelli replies to Confindustria

"Who fears the growth of artisans? In a country often accused of entrepreneurial 'dwarfism', it seems strange that Confindustria itself opposes the legitimate aspiration of artisans to grow and strengthen themselves to compete better on the market, without weighing on public finances or altering the rules of competition between companies". The president of Confartigianato, Marco Granelli, thus enters - in a conversation with ANSA - on the topic of the reform of the framework law on crafts that is in the pipeline, which divides the business associations with the strong contrary position taken by Confindustria in recent days.

Granelli responds point by point to the objections of the industrialists' association, and underlines: "One wonders what the problem is, what is the real reason for so much concern on the part of Confindustria? Perhaps the competition on the associative level?"

"We are starting to clear away fears about the alleged subtraction of resources from the State. Anyone who knows the text of the reform knows that the alarmist estimates of hypothetical impacts exceeding one billion euros for the State coffers are completely unfounded. In fact, a financial neutrality clause is foreseen with respect to the contribution to INPS: artisan businesses which, as they grow, exceed the ordinary thresholds of employees envisaged by the current framework law on crafts will apply the same social security contribution foreseen for industrial companies of the same size. The expansion of the obligation to register with the Special Craftsmen Ivs Management for the owner and the partners, moreover, determines an increase in contribution income".

"The alarm about wage dumping or the contraction of protection for the presumed 1.8 million workers is also unfounded. It is known, in fact, that the legal qualification of a craft enterprise does not bind the company to the application of a specific collective agreement. Almost all of the contracts signed by craft organizations find application well beyond the limits of the 1985 framework law on crafts. There will therefore be no direct or indirect repercussion on workers' wages and consequent tax levy".

And as regards employment, "it can only be favored".