By: The ANFN
Large families are like the little bird in the mine whose death signals the presence of poisonous gases, allowing the miners to escape.
The metaphor used by ANFN President Alfredo Caltabiano in his presentation of the conference “Networking Companies: More Family, More Future” in Piacenza is forceful but effective: the drastic reduction in households with multiple children sounds the final alarm bell for a society headed for demographic suicide. All stakeholders are called upon to collaborate to restore life and a future to the region, and if involved, they are ready to do their part. This is the message conveyed by the packed afternoon sponsored by the Municipality and organized by ANFN in collaboration with ELFAC and the Forum of Family Associations, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Confindustria, and CNA on January 30th, to discuss the Network of “Family-Friendly” Companies, which will be launched in Brussels on February 11th.
“If you sit down today and plan to start a business or bring one or more children into the world, you’re either crazy or you’ll give up immediately. We large families know well that ours isn’t madness, but rather the awareness that the future begins with every new life,” says Mario Scuderi, coordinator of ANFN Emilia Romagna. “The Piacenza conference succeeded in bringing together the academic, economic, social, and political worlds of the region to discuss the drain of talent, the declining birth rate, and the desertification of the territory.
Many interesting insights emerged. The situation is worrying, and the way we work is also affected. Two statements struck me: the number of new entrepreneurs is decreasing, and therefore there’s a lack of entrepreneurs. And those who have started businesses say: I don’t want my child to have the same life full of sacrifices as me. There’s a major cultural problem and a general distrust, not only in the Piacenza area: it’s not just a question of money, and in fact it’s been said that economic incentives and bonuses don’t always translate into productivity or growth.”
Experts are unanimous: corporate welfare policies that improve the well-being of employees and their families are an investment that pays off for the company with a 10% increase in turnover, improved productivity, and a reduction in absenteeism and turnover. Tailored to workers’ needs, welfare measures can range from meal vouchers to company daycare, perhaps opened in collaboration with multiple companies in a district.
These can be costly or even free (such as customized hours). “There are countless good practices in this regard,” explains Regina Maroncelli, vice president of ELFAC. “Companies joining the family-friendly network we’re launching in Brussels will be able to draw on a broad repertoire of ideas, exchange opinions, network, and gain political clout to advocate for greater government support for family-friendly policies.”
Some of these best practices were presented by the Bergamo-based company Plastik Spa, which has already joined the Family-Friendly Companies Network; by the Piacenza Local Health Authority (AUSL), the largest company in the Piacenza area with over 4,000 employees; by Elenia Habazaj of Edenred Italia (a leader in meal vouchers and employee vouchers); by Mario Spezia (Con.Coop and Coop. S. Martino); and Filippo Gasparini (Consorzio Agripiacenza Latte), who emphasized that the primary form of welfare was providing housing for their workers and language courses for foreigners.
“Everyone present clearly recognized the importance of promoting the reconciliation of productive efficiency with family needs and the beginning of a reconsideration of the importance of having children through the synergistic action of all components of society: cultural, educational, economic-financial, and institutional,” commented Antonio Schillani, president of the Forum of Family Associations affiliated with the ANFN in Piacenza.
“A woman cannot be left alone in her free choice to become a mother: first and foremost, her husband must support her, and society as a whole must encourage, support, and value her! We truly must bring about a cultural revolution if we want to survive.” “Today is just the beginning,” explains Silvia Cipelli, ANFN coordinator, “because everyone present, from Piacenza’s Welfare Councilor Nicoletta Corvo, Confindustria Vice President Maria Angela Spezia, CNA President Cristiana Crenna, trade unionists Francesco Bighi, Michele Vaghini, and Ivo Bussacchini, Mario Lucentini, President of Compagnia delle Opere Emilia Romagna, and Professor Francesco Timpano of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, all said they were ready to resume the discussion to find shared solutions. And we at ANFN already have many initiatives in mind to keep interest high on a key issue for the future of our region: family policies.”
“Now we’re interested in what happens next,” confirms Mario Scuderi. “All the speakers stayed until the end of the event and asked to maintain contact with us. Today, more than ever, it’s crucial to network and collaborate by involving associations like ours.”
For those who couldn’t attend, there’s good news: the conference proceedings will be published on this website by ANFN.