Quaderni IRCrES 27 – Capitolo 6

Capitolo 6

La sfida dell’invecchiamento della forza lavoro: il ruolo delle parti sociali nell’inclusione dei lavoratori anziani*
The challenge of workforce ageing: The role of social partners in the inclusion of older workers

Luisa Errichiello(a), Tania Toffanin(b), Orsola Salmista(c)
(a)CNR-ISMed, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Studi sul Mediterraneo, via Guglielmo Sanfelice 8, 80132 Napoli, Italia
(b)CNR-ISMed, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Studi sul Mediterraneo, via Giuoco del Pallone, 8, 44121 Ferrara, Italia
(c)Ricercatrice indipendente, già assegnista di ricerca CNR-ISMed Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Studi sul Mediterraneo, via Guglielmo Sanfelice 8, 80132 Napoli, Italia

corresponding authors: luisa.errichiello@cnr.it; tania.toffanin@cnr.it

Abstract
Population ageing and the extension of working lives represent a major challenge for European labour markets, yet policy interventions have focused primarily on pension rules rather than on the sustainability of longer careers. Italy constitutes a critical case, where demographic pressure, repeated pension reforms and labour-market deregulation have accelerated workforce ageing while expanding non-standard employment beyond early career stages. This paper analyses how Italian social partners frame workforce ageing and which instruments they consider viable for the labour-market inclusion of older workers. Based on nine semi-structured interviews with trade-union and employer representatives, professional associations and policy experts conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, the study employs thematic analysis to identify dominant frames, priorities and constraints. Findings reveal a persistent gap between the discourse of “active ageing” and its translation into coherent labour-market and workplace measures. Ageing is predominantly addressed through a socio-health perspective, while employment quality, continuous learning and work redesign receive limited attention. As a result, interventions tend to be indirect, uneven and concentrated in large organisations, with SMEs facing significant resource constraints. Weak coordination across governance levels and territorially fragmented activation measures further limit policy effectiveness. The analysis highlights pronounced gendered vulnerabilities in late careers, particularly among women with discontinuous work histories. The paper concludes by advocating an integrated, age-inclusive governance model centred on decent work and lifelong learning, with social partners playing a key intermediary role.

Keywords: workforce ageing; social dialogue; age management; active labour market policies; Italy

DOI: 10.23760/2499-6661.2026.27_06

ISBN: 978-88-98193-42-4

ISSN (online): 2499-6661

How to Cite
Errichiello, L., Toffanin, T., Salmista, O. (2026). La sfida dell’invecchiamento della forza lavoro: il ruolo delle parti sociali nell’inclusione dei lavoratori anziani in Italia. In Bramanti, D., Errichiello, L., Falavigna, G., & Nanetti, S. (cur.). Quale futuro per un invecchiamento sano e attivo? Alcuni spunti di riflessione dalle ricerche del progetto Age-It e prospettive future (pp. 87-102). Quaderni IRCrES 27. CNR-IRCrES. http://dx.doi.org/10.23760/2499-6661.2026.27_06

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* Questo lavoro è stato realizzato nell’ambito del progetto finanziato da Next Generation EU – “Age-It – Ageing well in an ageing society” (PE0000015), CUP B83C22004880006 – Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR) – PE8 – Missione 4, Componente 2, Investimento 1.3. Le opinioni espresse sono esclusivamente degli autori e non riflettono necessariamente quelle dell’Unione Europea o della Commissione Europea. Né l’Unione Europea né la Commissione Europea possono essere ritenute responsabili dei contenuti qui riportati.