Less than four euros gross for an hour of work. Is this possible in San Marino today? And is it lawful? These are the questions that remain unanswered after the exchange between USL and USOT over the wages paid to some young people who worked during the summer break.
The case originated from a complaint by the Sammarinese Trade Union (Unione Sammarinese Lavoratori, USL). The union claims to have examined payslips showing compensation below four euros gross per hour, despite the fact that San Marino has collective labour agreements that apply erga omnes — meaning they are binding on all workers and all companies operating in the relevant sector.
The allegation immediately sparked debate, particularly because it concerns young people and students entering the workforce for the first time during the summer.
USL: “Several reports received”
Further clarifying the union’s position was Francesca Busignani, USL’s secretary general.
“We are not talking about the entire sector. However, we have received several reports of young people with truly shameful payslips. I am pleased with USOT’s stance, because we can work together to bring those who fail to fulfil their obligations back into line, and to give credit to the businesses that operate properly.”
According to USL, the point is therefore not to put hotels, bars and restaurants as a whole under accusation, but to identify the specific cases where the rules were not respected.
But how much should a young worker actually be paid?
This is where the matter becomes more complex. Because four euros gross per hour, taken on its own, says a lot but explains very little.
One needs to understand under which contract the young person was hired, which category they were assigned to, how many hours they worked, and what reductions, if any, are permitted.
The single collective labour agreement covering hotels, restaurants, bars and canteens already contains specific rules. Category 1/B provides for an entry-level rate equal to 80% of category 1/A and, precisely for this reason, cannot be further reduced. For the other categories concerned, however, any reduction in the gross hourly rate cannot exceed 10%.
There is also another factor to consider. For certain student hires, contribution relief of up to 70% is available, provided the requirements and procedures are met. This is a measure designed to encourage young people to enter the workforce, not to lower their pay.
USOT: “A company that gets it wrong does not represent the whole sector”
It was precisely on this ground that USOT responded, taking an equally firm stance on one point: anyone paying below the contractual minimums must be identified, and the situation must be corrected.
The tourism operators’ association, however, disputes the risk of turning isolated episodes into an accusation against an entire sector.
“A company that gets it wrong does not represent the sector” is the concept expressed by USOT, which asked USL to provide more precise data: how many payslips were analysed, how many young workers are involved, how many companies, and what the actual scale of the reported cases really is.
USOT also declared its availability for inspections and invited the union, should it hold the relevant documentation, to forward the cases — even anonymously — to the competent authorities.
On this matter, Francesca Busignani of USL also weighed in, clarifying that the union’s complaint is not aimed at the tourism sector as a whole, but at the individual cases that came under scrutiny. “We are not talking about the entire sector. However, we have received several reports of young people with truly shameful payslips. I am pleased with USOT’s stance, because we can work together to bring those who fail to fulfil their obligations back into line, and to give credit to the businesses that operate properly.” This stance, following the exchange of recent days, shifts the discussion onto the ground of inspections and verification of individual cases, with both parties agreeing on the need to intervene wherever contractual minimums are not being respected.
The question that remains open
This is probably the point on which the debate can move beyond a clash between organisations.
How many young people in San Marino are really being paid below the minimum? Is this a handful of irregular situations, or is the problem more widespread? And above all, how much should a student actually earn working for a few weeks in a bar, restaurant or hotel?
USL speaks of “several reports.” USOT is asking for them to be quantified and verified and, at the same time, says it is ready to cooperate in identifying those who fail to respect the rules.
Caught in the middle are the young workers themselves. And a figure — less than four euros gross an hour — that has inevitably put the spotlight on the value placed on their labour.
