National Collective Labour Agreement
Plain English
It's the national collective bargaining agreement that sets the rules for a whole sector. There are hundreds of them, one for restaurants, one for metalworkers, one for office staff, and so on. Your CCNL decides your minimum pay, working hours, sick leave, holidays, and notice periods.
Why it matters
Your individual contract can offer more than the CCNL, but never less. If you ever wonder whether your boss is paying you correctly, the CCNL is the rulebook to check.
Real example
"When Camila started waitressing in a hotel in Rimini, her contract referenced the CCNL Turismo-Confcommercio. That document set her hourly rate, her 13th-month bonus, and how many paid leave days she earned per year."
Common confusion
Pay slips will name the CCNL that applies to you, often in tiny print at the top. Skim it once. Knowing which one covers you makes it much easier to spot if something is off.
Official source
CNEL (Archivio Nazionale dei Contratti)