The Gender Impacts of Transitions: What Role for Industrial Relations? Some Reflections from the Italian Manufacturing Sector.

The success of the triple digital, ecological and demographic transition will depend on the capacity of industrial relations actors to facilitate improvements in the status of women in the labour market. Indeed, these processes of structural change are inextricably linked with gender dimensions. On the one hand, an increased presence of women in digital and green occupations can contribute to economic growth and social welfare. Furthermore, some studies have indicated that an increase in gender diversity in managerial roles and female entrepreneurship can contribute to a reduction in corporate emissions that contribute to climate change. Conversely, more favourable work-life balance policies and an extension of public care services to assist female workers can help offset the decline in birth rates, which poses a risk to the long-term stability of economies and welfare states. In a context such as that of Italy, which is characterised by high female unemployment rates and a rapidly ageing population the possibility of successfully managing the triple transition is contingent upon greater gender inclusion. Despite the fact that equal opportunity is a cross-cutting and priority goal of both the just transition and the 2030 Agenda, there is still a certain reluctance in Italy to integrate a gender and intersectional perspective into industrial relations. The primary focus of social partners is on awareness campaigns, with a particular emphasis on traditional bargaining issues such as the wage gap, the elimination of vertical and horizontal gender segregation, the enhancement of health and safety protection, and the implementation of work-life balance policies. The objective of our contribution, which is derived from the aforementioned reflections, is to analyse the actions and role of the social partners in the Italian chemical manufacturing sector. This analysis will provide insights that can inform the ongoing debate on the gender impact of the green transition.