Italian confectionery giant Ferrero and national labor unions finalized a four-year supplementary corporate contract for the 2026–2030 period, securing pay bumps, expanded welfare, and new digital consultation rules for over 7,000 workers across Italian plants and facilities.
National labor organizations Fai Cisl, Flai Cgil, and Uila Uil, alongside the national RSU and RSA coordination, signed the agreement. The pact introduces substantial economic updates, most notably a performance-based bonus reaching 3,100 euros by the final year of the agreement.
Wage Increases and Bonus Structure
The agreement establishes a performance bonus that increases by 370 euros in its final year, pushing the total value to 3,100 euros. Across the entire four-year term, the total performance bonus pool will reach 11,450 euros per worker, according to the labor organizations. Beyond base performance pay, the contract implements a 4-euro daily meal voucher for employees at manufacturing sites that lack an on-site canteen service. To strengthen retirement savings, Ferrero will contribute 200 euros over the four-year term for employees who enroll in or are already members of Alifond, the sector’s complementary pension fund.
Professional Training and Career Development
Professional development investments target more than 2,000 workers over a two-year span, tying career milestones to distinct financial recognition. The framework mandates a minimum of 10 hours of annual professional training for every employee. This educational requirement addresses rapid workplace shifts driven by digitization and emerging industrial technologies.
Artificial Intelligence and Union Consultation
The updated contract expands worker representation rights by mandating structured information and consultation procedures regarding corporate investments in artificial intelligence. Labor representatives will engage with management on AI deployment through the corporate Consultative Committee, formalizing union oversight on digital transformation. Safety protocols introduce mandatory training hours for site-level Safety Representatives (RLS) and establish specific monitoring for techno-stress risks linked to new digital tools.
Welfare, Leave, and Inclusivity Policies
Individual protections and family support provisions receive several enhancements, including additional leave allowances for children’s illnesses, paid time off for medical appointments, and university scholarship programs. For workers with disabilities, the company guarantees an extra 90-day sick-leave retention period (periodo di comporto) compensated at 50% of regular pay. Meanwhile, the internal committee previously known as “Persone in Ferrero” has been renamed “People, inclusion and respect,” with an expanded mandate focused on social inclusion, equity, and equal opportunities.
Key Facts About the Ferrero Agreement
- Coverage: Over 7,000 workers across Italian production plants and corporate facilities.
- Duration: Four-year term spanning 2026 through 2030.
- Signatories: Fai Cisl, Flai Cgil, Uila Uil, and national RSU/RSA coordination.
- Performance Bonus: Reaches 3,100 euros by 2030, with a cumulative four-year total of 11,450 euros.
- Pension Incentive: 200-euro contribution for Alifond supplementary pension subscribers.
- Training Guarantee: At least 10 hours of professional training annually per worker.
Ferrero contract covers 7,000 employees and AI consultation
- How many workers are covered by the new Ferrero supplementary contract?
- The agreement covers more than 7,000 employees working in Ferrero plants and structures throughout Italy.
- What is the maximum value of the performance bonus?
- The performance-linked bonus reaches 3,100 euros in the final year of the 2026–2030 agreement.
- How does the contract address artificial intelligence in the workplace?
- The pact expands union consultation rights, requiring management to inform and consult worker representatives regarding AI investments and digital automation strategies.
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