141 Where was the modern welfare system invented? In Italy, the UK, or the US? In your opinion, which five countries among the following have the best welfare systems in Europe: France, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Italy, the UK, and Germany? The first three days are usually paid by the employer WELFARE AND SUBSIDIES Welfare Welfare refers to a series of government programmes which provide financial or other aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves. In most cases, people receive monthly payments. The main field in which this type of social legislation operates is that of unemployment benefits and sick leave. An overview of the unemployment benefits in Europe ONLINE RESOURCES European models of social legislation Most unemployment insurance systems share common features with reference to the way in which they are funded and the clear definition of the amounts and duration of the benefits. However, a comparison of all European countries, including the UK, shows that access to unemployment benefits varies widely, ranging from a three-month working period in Italy, to six months in France, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden, and at least 12 months in other countries. The British and Irish systems do not require a minimum working period, but rather a minimum amount of contributions. Unemployment subsidies in Italy Unemployment subsidies are funded by taxes and guaranteed by the Constitution. In fact, Article 38 states that workers have the right to financial support sufficient to meet their needs in a series of situations including unemployment. According to current legislation, there are two types of benefits: NASpI refers to employees who have been insured with INPS for at least 13 weeks during the 4 years before the start of their unemployment period; DIS-COLL is a benefit for employees with an atypical employment contract and for self-employed people. Unemployment subsidies in the UK The Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) is given to people who have worked as employees and who have paid National Insurance contributions in the last 2 to 3 years. Sick leave in Italy and in the UK In Italy, INPS pays up to 180 days, starting from the fourth day , for absences from work due to sickness. It pays 50% of the employee s daily wage for the first 20 days, then 66,66% from the 21st to the 180th day. In the UK, employees can self-certify their illness up to a period of 7 days, then they need a note from a healthcare professional in order to continue having their sick leave paid. cradle: culla daily wage: paga giornaliera to date back: risalire (nel tempo) dismissal: licenziamento dole: sussidio di disoccupazione sick leave: assenza/congedo per malattia subsidy: sussidio 286 SOCIETy HELpS