Abstract

The paper builds on the assumption that only social dignity and freedom from need allow the worker to be a full citizen. This principle is based on Article 36 of the Italian Constitution, whose preceptive scope has long been recognised, also in view of the solutions adopted by collective bargaining. However, the unresolved issues of the Italian trade union system have led the case-law to disregard its results in relation to adequate wage, sometimes even when they are the result of agreements concluded by the comparatively most representative trade unions. This makes it essential for the legislator to intervene, on the one hand, to support collective bargaining and, on the other hand, to introduce the statutory minimum wage