Ordinary and extraordinary CIG, INPS salary supplements to support workers and businesses

When it comes to social safety nets provided for by our legislative system, the Cassa Integrazione Guadagni (CIG) is one of the best known forms. In summary, it represents an economic service provided by INPS that supplements or replaces the remuneration of workers in the presence of temporary difficulties due to the reduction or suspension of working activity, for example due to the crisis of a company or particular conditions of the context. socio-economic. Just think of the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, when several companies found themselves having to reduce or suspend production with repercussions in terms of re-proportioning of the workforce and relative remuneration. The CIG is recognized to subordinate workers, both full-time and part-time, with a minimum seniority of at least 30 days on the date of submission of the application. Before the reform introduced with Law 234/2021 (Budget Law 2022), the minimum terms were 90 days. From 1 January 2022, CIG treatments are also due to those who carry out professional activities at home and to apprentices. On the other hand, it is not up to managers, interns and trainees, but how much is up to the worker under the Redundancy Fund? The amount of the indemnity is equal to 80% of the wages lost by the worker during the period not worked due to the suspension or reduction of working hours, with a maximum gross amount of € 1,222.51. For the benefits paid from 1 January 2022, the indemnity no longer provides for the distinction between different thresholds of income from work and therefore does not take into account the monthly salary of reference. Different types of CIG are envisaged, including: Extraordinary Earnings Integration (CIGS) Additional contribution and CIG reductions for companies From the point of view of companies, making use of the forms of Redundancy Fund implies additional contributions to be paid or, on the contrary, reduced contributions. In particular, both in the case of CIGO and CIGS, there is a mandatory additional contribution to be paid by the companies whose measure is calculated on the basis of the use of wage integration treatments. This means that the more a company makes use of the Redundancy Fund, the greater the additional contribution to be paid, according to this scheme: • 9% of the total pay due to the worker for the hours not worked, up to 52 weeks of recourse to the shock absorber social safety net in a period of a mobile five-year period • 12% over 52 weeks and up to 104 weeks of recourse to the social cushion in a movable five-year period • 15% over 104 weeks of recourse to the social cushion in a movable five-year period 2022 also introduces a reduced contribution or bonus scheme, starting from 1 January 2025 for companies that have not benefited from wage supplementation for at least 24 months since the last request, in the following percentages: • 6% up to 52 weeks of non-use of the social shock absorber in a mobile five-year period • 9% from 52 to 104 weeks of non-use of the social shock absorber in a mobile five-year period • 15% over 104 weeks of non-recourse to the social safety net in a five-year mobile period. Cassa Integrazione Guadagni Ordinaria (CIGO) The importance of a social safety net like the CIGO must be considered from a double point of view. For the worker who gets income support and keeps the job. For the company in temporary difficulty that is relieved of the costs for non-employed personnel and which can be reinstated once the crisis period has passed. The CIGO is aimed at workers, employees and managers of companies in the industrial and construction sectors who are suspended from work or are employed part-time and is granted in the event of: business situations due to transient events not attributable to the company or to employees in temporary market situations The CIGO is paid for a maximum period of 13 continuous weeks, with the possibility of being extended up to a maximum of 52 weeks. If the company has used the maximum period of CIGO before being able to submit a new application, a minimum period of 52 weeks of regular work must have elapsed. The ordinary wage supplement covering several non-consecutive periods cannot exceed 52 weeks in a mobile two-year period. To be admitted to the CIGO regime, the company must submit the application for the concession to INPS within 15 days from the beginning of the suspension or reduction of working activity. Once the application has been accepted, the company is required to advance the wage supplement to the worker directly in the pay slip and at the normal salary deadlines. It will then be reimbursed by the INPS. In some cases in which the company demonstrates actual financial difficulties and upon specific request of the employer, the Institute can provide for the direct payment of the service. The application must contain: • cause of suspension / reduction of working hours • duration estimated • number of total hours required • names of the workers concerned Extraordinary Earnings Integration Fund (CIGS) This type of wage integration is aimed at replacing or supplementing the salary of workers of a company that, due to internal structural situations, is faced with an excess of personnel over company productivity. Unlike the ordinary redundancy fund, the extraordinary one is not connected to external and unpredictable events, but to situations related to the company’s activity, as in the case of production conversions, revision of the organizational or technological structure. In particular, the CIGS can be requested by companies with at least 15 employees (including executives and apprentices, with the exception of companies in the aviation sector and political parties) and only in the case of: company reorganization with a maximum duration of 24 months, including continuous over a five-year mobilecrisis company with a maximum duration of 12 months, including continuous solidarity contract with a maximum duration of 24 months, including continuous over a five-year period The 2022 Budget Law introduces an extension of up to a maximum of 12 months that can be requested in the event of a corporate crisis in the event that the parties enter into an agreement aimed at the occupational recovery of workers at risk of redundancy. Also for the CIGS, the company must submit an application for a concession to INPS which must contain the provisions for the CIGO, but in this case within 7 days from the date of conclusion of the trade union consultation procedure or from the date of signing the company agreement. relating to the recourse to intervention. Furthermore, the application to obtain the CIGS must be submitted electronically and at the same time to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and to the territorial Labor Departments competent for the area. Any concession takes place through a specific ministerial decree usually within 90 days of submitting the application. Only at this point can the company submit to INPS, again electronically, the request for the salary integration services already granted or, if provided for in the decree, for direct payment by the Institute. Salary supplements, when they are not due What happens if the worker carries out other work during the period of suspension or reduction of working hours? The 2022 Budget Law in this case establishes the incompatibility of wage supplements. In particular, it is envisaged that the worker beneficiary of the wage supplement treatment, who, during the period of suspension or reduction of working hours, carries out subordinate work activities lasting more than six months, as well as self-employment, is not entitled to the wage supplement treatment for the days worked. If the worker, on the other hand, carries out fixed-term subordinate work for a duration of six months or less, the wage supplement treatment remains suspended for the duration of the employment relationship. CIG digital services With a view to digital transition, INPS is making a series of personalized digital services available to the various categories of users to improve the flow of communication and make services simpler and more accessible. On the subject of Redundancy Fund, the CIG live info chat service is available online, which allows workers who are recipients of a direct pay wage supplement to be able to initiate a conversation with a consultant to receive information on the processing status of applications. To use the service, simply access your MyINPS reserved area using SPID, CIE or CNS credentials, then enter the “Communicate with INPS” section, on the left in the menu, click on CIG Info and then on the “Talk to a operator”. It should also be remembered that among the most important digital projects to be implemented, INPS is developing the CIG Single Platform, a single operational hub that integrates all the services and information on supplementary salary services available to workers and companies.