From Tuesday to Friday she will return to her Cagliari with the rank of minister to preside over the G7 dedicated to the issues of employment and work. Marina Calderone will play at home and will introduce her splendid island to colleagues from the seven most industrialized countries in the world and beyond, given that the meeting will also see the participation of trade unions.

The fact that the appointment comes at a difficult time for the Government, shaken by the Sangiuliano-Boccia case, does not scare the Sardinian minister who moves on from the issue, leaving it to the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to draw the line, which she also shares.

Let's start immediately with the choice of Cagliari.

"Cagliari best represents the link between past and future, between tradition and innovation, as a metropolitan city of ancient origins in a region, Sardinia, anchored to its identity but projected forward. I think of the enormous challenge it is facing with Einstein Telescope, for which the abandoned area of the Sos Enattos mine is a candidate to host a project that will have a global impact. For me, it is the symbol of work that changes, but above all of the dignity of work in the succession of generations. Then, Sardinia is one of the five "blue zones" in the world for longevity, scholars wonder about the "mystery" of resilience in some of our countries. Precisely the increase in the average age of the population and the impact on work will be among the topics of the meeting of the ministers of Labor and Employment of our G7".

How does it feel to preside over the G7 in Cagliari?

"I am proud that Cagliari was chosen. Sardinia deserves it. It is the first time that it has hosted a G7 Labour. Delegations from Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and the European Commission, ILO, OECD, social partners and engagement groups (Business 7, Labour 7, Civil 7, Women 7 and Youth 7) will be present. The preference given to the city is also the result of a careful assessment of the logistical, safety and opportunity conditions by a large and well-prepared team, which coordinated with the choice of other ministerial meeting locations (the other thematic G7s, ed.). In Cagliari, Italy will show itself to the world in all its beauty and I myself will be able to proudly tell about my places. I hope that my fellow citizens will appreciate it and we will do everything to limit the inconvenience to a minimum. We have concentrated the events in the institutional locations. I also hope that this international opening will be a source of pride for everyone."

Representatives of the most important labor organizations will also be present: what objectives do you set yourselves?

"It is a sign of the great work done through missions that have punctuated my entire mandate as Minister of Labor: bilateral meetings with my counterparts, from Berlin to Washington, and multilateral ones in Europe and the United States, in which we have developed the principles and reasoned on the issues. The Employment working group, the working group on employment, has given substance to those reflections and valued the contributions of all the other actors, from young people to women, from the social partners to civil society. An inclusive method, which is mine as minister."

The main themes that will be touched upon are important: let's start with the development of artificial intelligence in the world of work.

"AI is a fundamental theme, addressed in the final document of the G7 leaders in Borgo Egnazia and which will be explored in depth in Cagliari. Our mandate as ministers is to prepare an action plan through which the principles are translated into commitments for concrete actions, which the various countries will then have to decline in their national regulatory contexts. It is essential to hold firm to the human-centric vision of the use of AI. We must be aware of the risks, but also exploit the opportunities, for the benefit of man and in particular of workers. There will be profound transformations. We must be prepared to govern them."

As societies age, how is the world of work changing?

"The increase in the average age of the population is a phenomenon that affects all G7 countries. We are already going through an important season of generational change: the boomers will retire. We will have to accompany into work especially the categories that have remained on the margins until now: young people and women. Furthermore, it will be necessary to address the issue of active aging and that of care".

Lifelong learning and responsive, flexible and inclusive skills: how to move forward on these fronts?

"Skills is a theme closely connected to the two previous ones: Artificial Intelligence and demography. You were right to mention flexibility and inclusiveness. These are the two approaches that we have decided to let prevail. Our countries are facing the challenge of misalignment between labor supply and demand, the skills required by companies are not being found and training becomes crucial. This is why our new inclusion measures are not limited to mere subsidies, but push for training and active job seeking. We have invested a lot in training."

Just in the last few days in Buggerru the massacre of the miners was remembered and a memorandum of understanding on safety at work was signed...

"Social dialogue, protection for work, safety in the workplace, are also the result of the path started by the events of Buggerru in 1904, their relevance is reflected in the themes of the G7 Work and Employment, in the perspective of the impacts of AI and demographic changes. The watchword is shared, collective responsibility, which the protocol of the past few days echoes in terms of safety at work. The protection of a safe life is central to my mandate. Competitions are starting for the hiring of new inspection staff, in October the credit license in construction sites, the school year begins with the extension of the renewed Inail insurance for students and staff: our constant thought for safety has become action".

Sardinia is subjected to a deluge of requests for authorization of wind and photovoltaic plants: a signature collection has been started for a popular bill. Does the government want to defend the Island?

"The energy transition must be supported taking into account the specificities of the Sardinian territory. I believe that this is the true point of balance."

Joseph Deiana

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