The Palazzo Chigi Pact (1923)

* Source: Delzell, C., 1971. Mediterranean fascism 1919-1945. 1st ed. London: MacMillan, pp. 108-109.

* information about the text: Resolution approved under the chairmanship of Mussolini at the meeting of December 21, 1923. Published in Alberto. Aquarone, L'organizzazione dello stato totalitario (Turin: Giulio Einaudi Editore, 1965), Appendix No. 29, pp. 435-436. By per mission of Giulio Einaudi Editore, Turin. Delzell's translation.

The General Confederation of Italian Industry [Confindustria] and the General Confederation of Fascist Corporations, acting for the purpose of harmonizing their work by means of directives from the National Government, which has repeatedly declared that it regards the harmonious will to work by industrialists, technicians, and laborers as offering the best means of increasing the prosperity of all classes and the nation; the complete accuracy of this political philosophy and the need for and recognizing the nation's productive forces to put it into effect; 

 do hereby declare

that the nation's natural resources, which are the prerequisite for its political strength, can rapidly be increased; and that both laborers and industrialists can avoid the damages and losses caused by work interruptions if harmony between the various elements of produc tion assures the continuity and tranquillity of industrial devel opment;

and they do hereby affirm

the principle that syndical organization must not rest on the as sumption of an insoluble conflict of interests between industry and labor, but must instead be based on the need to establish increas ingly cordial relations among the various employers, workers, and their syndical organizations, and must assure to these productive elements the best possible conditions for developing their respec tive functions and obtaining a fairer compensation for their work --all of which will reflect the spirit of national syndicalism, even in the negotiation of labor contracts; 

 and they do hereby agree

  (a) that the Confederation of Industry and the Confederation of Fascist Corporations should intensify their respective efforts toward organizing industrialists and workers for the purpose of mutual collaboration;

 and (b) that a permanent Commission, consisting of five mem bers for each side, be appointed to supervise the fulfillment of the above-mentioned principles both at the seat of government and in outlying regions, and to co-ordinate the major bodies of the two Confederations so that syndical activity will proceed in accordance with the directives set forth by the Head of the Government., which are the prerequisite for its political strength, can rapidly be increased; and that both laborers and industrialists can avoid the damages and losses caused by work interruptions if harmony between the various elements of produc tion assures the continuity and tranquillity of industrial devel opment;

 and they do hereby affirm

the principle that syndical organization must not rest on the as sumption of an insoluble conflict of interests between industry and labor, but must instead be based on the need to establish increasingly cordial relations among the various employers, workers, and their syndical organizations, and must assure to these productive elements the best possible conditions for developing their respec tive functions and obtaining a fairer compensation for their work --all of which will reflect the spirit of national syndicalism, even in the negotiation of labor contracts; and they do hereby agree

   (a) that the Confederation of Industry and the Confederation of Fascist Corporations should intensify their respective efforts toward organizing industrialists and workers for the purpose of mutual collaboration;

and  (b) that a permanent Commission, consisting of five mem bers for each side, be appointed to supervise the fulfillment of the above-mentioned principles both at the seat of government and in outlying regions, and to co-ordinate the major bodies of the two Confederations so that syndical activity will proceed in accordance with the directives set forth by the Head of the Government.