Editorial

Italian Labour Law e-Journal

Abstract

This special issue of the Italian Labour Law e-Journal intends to contribute to the on-going discussion about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the social policies of the states and to provide a systematic and informative overview on the measures set out by national governments.While these measures have a drastic impact on the work of people and on business operations, they should also be understood as part of a broader strategy that encompasses public health and macro-economic concerns.Although the precautions suggested by the epidemiologic science to mitigate the spread of the disease, like for example social distancing, are the same worldwide, national governments and legislators are translating them into specific policies and normative solutions, in different attempts to balance health and economic interests.Hence, it is important to explore differences and similarities, with a view to identifying diverging patterns and common trends.For instance, it is useful to understand whether the provisions enacted in different systems take into account the different degrees of vulnerability and exposure to risks of the working population.One may note in this regard that workers in essential services, inevitably not involved in the lockdown measures, first and foremost health workers, as well as informal workers are facing increased health and safety risks in the short run.On the other hand, those employed in businesses subject to authoritative closures are risking displacement and loss of employment in the medium run, if the production and commercial operations will not be soon resumed.Another interesting issue to address is which different normative techniques and lawmaking procedures have been put into practice, including variations in the involvement of social partners.Finally, it may be instructive to observe the different degrees of readiness shown by the ordinary toolkits of labour law and industrial relations in responding and adapting to the emergency in different countries.In other words, to find whether and to what extent the established body of laws is proving able to cope with the problems raised by the current

Authors 4

1. Beryl ter Haar Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden

2. Emanuele Menegatti

   University of Bologna

   Affiliation as printed

   Università di Bologna

3. Iacopo Senatori

   University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

   Affiliation as printed

   Marco Biagi Foundation – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

4. Elena Sychenko

   St Petersburg University

   Affiliation as printed

   Saint Petersburg State University