Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 7
SOME PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS REGARDING EMPLOYMENT IN ITALY There are only a very few people employed in private industry receiving (what is considered in Italy) a fair wage of about 60,000 to 70,000 Lire ($100.00 - $110.00) per month, and these are quite select. In Italy, one's acquaintances make a very great deal of difference when any such specific job is to be filled. The Government workers (employed on the State-owned railroads and in the offices of the various Ministries, etc.) receive an average wage of $27,000 to 30,000 Lire ($43.00 to $49.00) per month base pay, which is usually increased by working some overtime and by receiving small subsidies, depending upon the number of the employee's dependents. However, the sum total of base salary and such extras amounts to an average wage of 45,000 to 55,000 Lire ($72.00 to $87.00) per month. Employees of big industry and the Government workers can profit by buying things on time payments and are able to acquire living accomo- dations more readily because their employment is deemed secure. The great majority of unskilled laborers, however, who do not work for big industry or for the Government are not in a position to profit from buying even essentials on time payments, or from acquiring a small apartment or house for themselves, since their employment is not secure; they are considered bad risks. The great majority of the working force in Italy is in this position. I had occasion, while I was in Rome, to personally speak with TRENAN 3. NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE is