The Italian State has among its main aims that of committing itself to implement policies aimed at overcoming all obstacles, whatever their type, which prevent the citizen from enjoying the fundamental rights of equality, social dignity and active participation in the life of the country.
In the Italian legal system there are welfare measures with a particular character and others with a universalistic character.
Specifically, many measures for the redistribution of wealth in Italy are linked to the status of a worker. The cornerstone of state interventions in favor of workers is Art. 38 of the Constitution. This Article specifies the situations in which workers are guaranteed the means appropriate to their life requirements in the event that they are in the impossibility of being able to work. These are: accident; sickness, invalidity, old age and involuntary unemployment. Cash support to overcome these situations is supported by contributions paid by all workers and employers to the National Social Security Institute (INPS).
In addition to these interventions, another fundamental principle must be mentioned, namely that every citizen who is unfit for work and who does not have the means to live has the right to maintenance and social assistance. Disability pensions and social pensions are to be ascribed to this principle, and are to be recognized in the same way as social security contributions do not give entitlement to another form of pension.
Among the measures of a universalistic nature, therefore recognized to all residents in Italy should be remembered the access to compulsory education and, above all, the national health system that provides for minimum levels of health care guaranteed to all free of charge.
Among the recently introduced universalist measures, the Citizenship Income is a measure to combat poverty reserved for those who have been resident in Italy for at least 10 years and have an income and assets below specified thresholds.
