经济学人:意大利的劳动市场 变奏进行中

 　　Italy's labour market

　　意大利的劳动市场

　　Marching to a different tune¹

　　变奏进行中

　　A bold move to free up employment

　　开放就业市场的大胆举措

　　WHILE many people's eyes were on Greece, another southern European country was taking a very different approach to easing its economic plight². On February 20th Italy's left-right coalition³ headed by Matteo Renzi approved two decrees enacting⁴ the core of an employment reform that parliament had broadly endorsed⁵ last year.

　　当很多人关注希腊时，欧洲南部的另一个国家为了缓解经济困境正在实行一项大不相同的战略。2月20日，以马泰奥·伦齐为首的意大利左右翼政党联合政府通过两项法令，颁布就业改革的核心措施，此项改革去年得到议会的广泛支持。

　　The measures aim to close a yawning gap between Italy's labour-market “outsiders”, who are mostly younger workers on short-term contracts with scant⁶ entitlement to welfare benefits, and the protected “insiders”, typically older workers, who enjoy both job security and the certainty of an adequate pension.

　　这些措施旨在缩小意大利劳动市场的“局外人”与受保护的“局内人”之间的巨大差距。“局外人”多为年轻工作者，他们的工作属于短期，且缺少生活福利；“局内人”通常是年老工作者，他们享受就业保障的同时，还可以享受充足稳定的养老金。

　　劳动市场.jpg

　　The reform sweeps away a skein of temporary contracts, replacing them with one that affords new employees progressively greater safeguards until, after three years, they become entitled to a permanent job. On the other hand, the reform ends the right to reinstatement of workers judged to have been unfairly fired. (That entitlement will now be reserved mainly for victims of discrimination.) Compensation will be given instead.

　　这次改革取消了一批临时合同，取而代之的是这样的合同：新员工可获得日益增多的强大保障，三年后成为正式职员方可终止。另一方面，此项改革取消了被无理解雇人员复职的权利。（该权利现在主要保留在种族歧视受害者身上。）改为给予补偿。

　　That nullifies a clause inItaly's 1970 Workers' Charter that the left holds sacred. Mr Renzi's determination to meddle⁷ with it has poisoned relations between the prime minister and a big minority within his centre-left Democratic party. But his reform also creates a new benefit for the involuntarily unemployed⁸: a monthly payment of up to 1,300 that can last for two years, but which starts to taper⁹ after four months. At the end of two years, a jobless worker becomes entitled to lesser¹⁰ benefits.

　　至此废除了意大利1970年制定、左翼政党信守的《工人宪章》中的一项条款。伦齐总理决意改革宪章，严重影响了其与中左翼民主党内大批少数党派人士的关系。但他的改革也为非自愿失业者带来新福利：两年内每月有多达1300欧元（合1480美元）的工资，但四个月后逐渐减少。两年期限结束时，失业人员能够享受较少福利。

　　The reform has limitations. It does not affect public-sector workers, who are almost impossible to get rid of. It only applies to new hirings (though, since so many ofItaly's workers are now on short-term contracts, its effects will soon be felt). The unions hate it, but employers, who will get generous incentives¹¹ to use the new contract, welcomed it. Mr Renzi said it meant that “rights enter the vocabulary of a generation that hitherto has been excluded.” It will help create jobs and prosperity, added his finance minister, Pier¹² Carlo Padoan.

　　此次改革亦有弊端。公共部门人员失业可能性很小，因此不会受到改革的影响。它仅适用于新职员工（然而，很多意大利工人目前的工作属于短期，改革的影响不久就会见效）。工会对此嗤之以鼻，而雇佣方则欣然接受，他们通过使用新型合同获取大手笔奖励。伦齐表示此举意味着“至今还未享有权利的一代人从此有了权利。”其财务大臣Pier Carlo Padoan另外表示，这将有助于增加就业机会，创造繁荣景象。

　　Both are sorely needed.Italy's unemployment rate is 12.9%, but among those aged¹³ between 15 and 29 it is 42%. The economy remains¹⁴ obstinately¹⁵ static, though most forecasters predict growth of around 0.6% this year. The hope is that the reform will raise productivity, cut unemployment and encourage investment, particularly from abroad.

　　这两方面亟待解决。意大利的失业率为12.9%，但15至29岁这一人群的失业率为42%。多数预报认为今年的经济增速约为0.6%，但经济仍然停滞不前。人们希望此次改革能够提高生产力，减少失业率，并且鼓励投资，尤其是外来投资。

　　But there are also some doubts. One is whether bosses will in fact start to hire more freely. And since those already in permanent work will be put on the new (and, for them, less advantageous) contract if they change jobs, there is a chance the reform could discourage labour mobility¹⁶.

　　但同时存在一些疑虑。其中之一就是：老板们在实际雇佣工人时能否更加自由开放。长期工换工作的话，将按照新型（对他们来说，弊大于利的）合同工作，那么改革可能会阻碍劳动力的流动性。

　　The bigger question is what comes next. Labour-market measures were rushed onto the government's agenda last autumn only when it became clear the economy was not recovering. Mr Renzi's priority remains political and constitutional reform, which he views as essential for decisive government, and for enabling further economic measures that Italy needs. Privatisations and some limited liberalisation are planned. But if the economy does revive, such reforms might once again go on the back burner.

　　更大的问题在于结果如何。去年秋天，政府清楚地发现经济没有恢复的迹象，于是才将劳动力市场措施提上日程。伦齐仍优先进行政治与宪法改革，他认为这是政府决断性的根本体现，同时对经济措施的进一步实施也极其重要。计划实现私有化和一定程度上的有限自由化。但如果经济得到恢复，这些改革措施可能会重新暂缓实行。翻译：石海霞 校对：陈思思

　　1.entitle to 拥有…的权利

　　They lose their entitle-ment to benefit when they start work.

　　他们一开始工作就失去了获得救济金的资格。

　　If the warranty¹⁷ is limited, the terms may entitle you to a replacement¹⁸ or refund¹⁹.

　　如果保修有限制，根据条款你也许可以要求退换或者退款。

　　2.start to 开始

　　There has been a busy start to polling in today's local elections.

　　今天地方选举的投票一开始就人头攒动。

　　I suggested that we start to taper off the counseling sessions.

　　我建议我们开始缩短咨询服务的时间。

　　3.put on 增加；穿上；上演

　　She had hoped the couple would put on a show of unity²⁰.

　　她曾经希望那对夫妇会表现出和睦相处的样子。

　　The company put on a play about the homeless.

　　这家剧团上演了一出讲述无家可归者的戏。

1 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

2 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 enacting   

制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Generally these statutes apply only to wastes from reactors outside the enacting state. 总之，这些法令只适宜用在对付那些来自外州的核废料。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• In addition, the complexion of enacting standards for live working is described. 另外，介绍了带电作业标准的制订情况。

5 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 scant   

adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略

参考例句：

• Don't scant the butter when you make a cake.做糕饼时不要吝惜奶油。
• Many mothers pay scant attention to their own needs when their children are small.孩子们小的时候，许多母亲都忽视自己的需求。

7 meddle   

v.干预，干涉，插手

参考例句：

• I hope he doesn't try to meddle in my affairs.我希望他不来干预我的事情。
• Do not meddle in things that do not concern you.别参与和自己无关的事。

8 unemployed   

adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的

参考例句：

• There are now over four million unemployed workers in this country.这个国家现有四百万失业人员。
• The unemployed hunger for jobs.失业者渴望得到工作。

9 taper   

n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小

参考例句：

• You'd better taper off the amount of time given to rest.你最好逐渐地减少休息时间。
• Pulmonary arteries taper towards periphery.肺动脉向周围逐渐变细。

10 lesser   

adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地

参考例句：

• Kept some of the lesser players out.不让那些次要的球员参加联赛。
• She has also been affected,but to a lesser degree.她也受到波及，但程度较轻。

11 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

12 pier   

n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱

参考例句：

• The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害，专家担心它已不能负重。
• The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。

13 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

14 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

15 obstinately   

ad.固执地，顽固地

参考例句：

• He obstinately asserted that he had done the right thing. 他硬说他做得对。
• Unemployment figures are remaining obstinately high. 失业数字仍然顽固地居高不下。

16 mobility   

n.可动性，变动性，情感不定

参考例句：

• The difference in regional house prices acts as an obstacle to mobility of labour.不同地区房价的差异阻碍了劳动力的流动。
• Mobility is very important in guerrilla warfare.机动性在游击战中至关重要。

17 warranty   

n.担保书，证书，保单

参考例句：

• This warranty is good for one year after the date of the purchase of the product.本保证书自购置此产品之日起有效期为一年。
• As your guarantor,we have signed a warranty to the bank.作为你们的担保人，我们已经向银行开出了担保书。

18 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

19 refund   

v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款

参考例句：

• They demand a refund on unsatisfactory goods.他们对不满意的货品要求退款。
• We'll refund your money if you aren't satisfied.你若不满意，我们愿意退款给你。

20 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。