Referendum 2025: Guide to Voting on June 8 and 9

Tomorrow, Sunday 8 June (from 7am to 11pm) and Monday 9 June (from 7am to 3pm), voters are called to vote on five abrogative referendums .

Those who vote yes express their opinion in favor of canceling the rules that are the subject of the question, while those who vote no express their opinion in favor of keeping them valid. Four questions are on the topic of work and concern layoffs in large and small companies, fixed-term contracts and contracts. The fifth referendum is instead on the requirements for Italian citizenship.

The results will be valid only if the quorum is reached , that is, if 50 percent plus one of those entitled to vote have voted. All Italian citizens of age registered on the electoral rolls can vote.

It is possible to vote in a municipality other than the one of residence if you are away from home for at least three months for study, work or medical treatment. However, the application had to be submitted by May 4, 2025. AIRE members (Italians living abroad) vote by correspondence.

The documents required to vote are the voter card and a valid identity document. Voters with disabilities can request assistance or vote in specially equipped sections.

What does the first question say?

It proposes to abolish one of the implementing decrees of the Jobs Act, number 23 of 2015, which regulates the contract with increasing protections without article 18.

What changes if yes wins?

We return to Article 18 of the Workers' Statute as amended by the Fornero Law: reinstatement in the workplace in the event of unlawful dismissal for all those hired after 7 March 2015, like everyone else.

What changes if the no wins?

Without a quorum or if the no vote wins, everything remains as it is. Those hired after March 7, 2015 can be reinstated only if fired for discrimination, retaliation, violation of rules or for the non-existence of the fact.

What does the second question say?

It proposes to eliminate the maximum limits currently envisaged for compensation in the event of unfair dismissal in companies with fewer than 16 employees.

What changes if yes wins?

The 6-month salary cap is skipped, with the possibility of an increase to 10 or 14 based on seniority, for all those hired before March 7, 2015. If the first question also passes, the caps are skipped for everyone. The labor judge would decide on a case-by-case basis.

What changes if the no wins?

Without a quorum or if the no vote wins, everything remains as it is. Workers before March 7, 2015 receive compensation equal to 6, 10, or 14 months' salary. Those hired after that, the Jobs Act applies: maximum 6 months' salary.

What does the third question say?

It proposes to repeal some passages of another implementing decree of the Jobs Act, number 81 of 2015 on fixed-term contracts.

What changes if yes wins?

Companies can no longer stipulate fixed-term contracts without indicating the reason, or the motivation for hiring. There are only two exceptions: the replacement of an absent worker. And if a collective agreement signed by the most representative unions provides for it

What changes if the no wins?

Without a quorum or if the no wins, everything remains as it is. A fixed-term contract without cause is possible up to 12 months. Or even up to 24 months, for "technical reasons" decided by the parties (the "causalone").

What does the fourth question say?

It proposes to delete a part of the Consolidated Law on Safety in the Workplace – paragraph 4, article 26 – on the responsibility of the client in contracts.

What changes if yes wins?

The client, i.e. the person awarding the contract, is jointly liable with the contractor and subcontractors also for damage to health due to specific risks of the latter. For example: use of dangerous machinery, chemical products, specialized processes.

What changes if the no wins?

Without a quorum or if the no vote wins, everything remains as it is. The client is jointly liable only for damages to health for the part not covered by Inail compensation. Specific risks are excluded.

What does the fifth question say?

It proposes to repeal part of the Citizenship Act of 1992, Article 9, which sets out the requirements for applying for citizenship.

What changes if yes wins?

The time required for legal residence in Italy to apply for Italian citizenship has been halved from 10 to 5 years, reinstating a requirement introduced in 1865 and which remained unchanged until 1992.

What changes if the no wins?

Without a quorum or if the no wins, the 10 years remain. And the other requirements, which would remain even if the yes wins: knowing Italian, having an income, paying taxes, not having criminal convictions.