Italy: Homekeepers Protected

The role of homekeepers in society (in most cases women) was never considered as equivalent to the role of outdoor workers (I mean the home door: in most cases men). The current opinion was that homekeepers are not really workers: they help themselves and/or the rest of the family/community on a voluntary basis and for no salary. This opinion is radically changing in Italy and changes included the application to homekeepers of prevention and compulsory insurance against labour incidents law.

Law n. 493 of 3 December 1999 defines as homekeepers those who are not employed and work at home on their own, without salary, for the care and welfare of people and assets in the house. Under Law n. 493, homekeepers must now get insured against domestic labour incidents. Secondary legislation, enacted after Law n. 493, provided for such obligation to be complied with not later than 31 March 2001. Insurance must be with I.N.A.I.L., the Central Agency for Insurance against Labour Incidents, a public entity.

I.N.A.I.L. timely launched a widespread campaign to inform the public and solicit applications by homekeepers. The costs are very mild: less than £st. 10 per year; in case of low income, the insurance is free. Eligible homekeepers are those between 18 and 65 of age. I.N.A.I.L. shall cover only those permanent disabilities caused by domestic labour incidents that exceed 33% of the total ability of the concerned. Restoration of damages is in the form of a bimonthly allowance. Contrary to what happens in the case of non domestic labour incidents, I.N.A.I.L. has no recourse against those, if any, who are to be blamed for the incidents to the insured homekeeper.

Source: Law n. 493 of 3 December 1999, published in the Official Gazette n. 303 of 28 December 1999, effective from January 2000.