The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and its decentralised offices are responsible for all aspects of labour legislation. Other ministries are, however, given statutory authority on specific aspects of work.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Through its Directorate-General for emigration and social affairs, this ministry is in charge of:
- studying problems concerning social policy internationally, the Italian community abroad, emigra-tion and consular matters;
- talks with other states and international bodies on bilateral and multilateral issues concerning social relations and emigration;
- protection and assistance, including schooling, of Italian citizens residing abroad;
- issues relating to travel costs for emigrants abroad;
- the negotiation and application of relevant agreements;
- supervising the management of vocational training initiatives abroad.
In the area of emigration, the interministerial committee for emigration is of special importance.
Ministry of the Interior
Certain powers concerning specific aspects of labour relations are conferred by law on the Ministry of the Interior and its local representative body, the prefect of the province.
Ministry of the Merchant Navy and Ministry of Transport
The navigation code confers many powers and responsibilities:
- to the Ministry of the Merchant Navy for maritime navigation and seaport work;
- to the Ministry of Transport for inland navigation and river port work as well as air traffic.
Special regulations are in force for the employment of seamen and persons working for port authorities; these provide for their registration in special registers and at the port placement offices.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Crafts
The Directorate-General for mines is responsible for monitoring the enforcement of the regulations of the mines' and quarries' police relating to the health and safety of the workers in these sectors. To this end it draws on the technical staff of the mines consisting of engineers, geologists, chemists and other experts.
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