Italy: Companies agree new benefit programmes

In early 2009, two leading Italian companies, Luxottica and Elica, have signed innovative agreements introducing new benefits aimed at easing the impact of the economic crisis on their employees.

Luxottica, which produces spectacles at its plants in North-East Italy under licence for luxury brands such as Prada and Ferragamo, has signed an agreement with local trade unions whereby it will spend more than €2.5 million a year on new benefits for its 7,800 employees.