A Precarious Balance: San Precario’s Legacy and the Fight Against Fleeting Job Security

The transformations in the Italian labor market over the final decades of the 20th century were driven by a complex mix of economic, technological, and political factors. The advent of globalization and rapid technological progress have undermined the foundations of the traditional Fordist work model, characterized by stable jobs and a clear distinction between working time and leisure time. From the ’90s, deregulation initiatives in the labor market, motivated by the desire to increase the competitiveness of Italian companies on a global level, introduced elements of work flexibility. While initially designed to reduce unemployment and facilitate labor market entry for youth and women, these measures over time significantly eroded worker guarantees, exacerbating precarity.
This transition phase marked the rise of “precarity” as a new social category, defined by the temporariness of contracts, the lack of job security, and the absence of social protections once guaranteed by permanent employment. Legislative reforms such as the “Pacchetto Treu” in 1997, the “Legge Biagi” in 2003, and the “Jobs Act” in 2014 facilitated the use of atypical contracts, contributing to the spread of labor precarity. Beyond affecting the contractual domain, precarity also had repercussions on the identity and social bonds of workers, challenging the concept of “work” as the foundation of economic and personal stability. The effects of labor precarity extended to the social fabric, influencing personal decisions such as family formation, housing access, and future planning, generating widespread uncertainty among the new generations, with consequences on demographics, social mobility, and professional expectations.
Collective Identity and the Path to Mobilization
Amidst this evolution, understanding how changes in the labor market have not only impacted contractual aspects but also the social connections and identity of workers is fundamental. It is crucial to analyze the “identity positions” that extend beyond mere individual narratives to encompass how workers perceive society’s reflection of themselves. This two-dimensional view of identity, which can either harmonize or conflict, reveals the complexity of the precarious work condition and its effect on the sense of belonging and collective identity. The experience of those working under intermittent circumstances shows a marked difficulty in forming and recognizing a collective identity. Stories from both public sector workers and supermarket employees hired through temporary employment agencies unveil fragments and individualism overshadowing collective consciousness, further exacerbated by competition within the precariat itself. This context mirrors the intensified perception of personal risk, diminishing the social awareness of issues related to labor precarity. However, where intermittent workers manage to spend lengthy periods together, examples of collective cohesion emerge. For example, in public administration sectors, a ‘precarious mass’ has emerged, fostering solidarity and shaping collective identities, showcasing how sharing precarity experiences lays the foundation for common resistance.
San Precario: Emblem of a Movement
In response to these challenges, the emergence of the symbolic figure of San Precario and the related collective movement offers a cultural and political answer. Through mobilization campaigns and the creation of a new work identity, the “San Precario” movement aimed to recenter issues such as equity, security, and dignity of work in the debate, stimulating extended reflection on the future of employment in Italy and beyond. The origins of San Precario date back to February 29, 2004, a leap date that embodies uncertainty and unpredictability, just like the condition of temporary workers. His first “appearance” at a Coop supermarket in the northern area of Milan inaugurated a significant chapter, marking the beginning of a movement that would lead San Precario to become a symbol of the fight against work precarity not only in Italy but also in Europe.
This figure, steeped in modernity, provided for the first time a tangible anchor point for those who felt relegated to the shadows of an increasingly flexible labor market. The birth of San Precario, rooted in an era when temporary work was gaining ground – following the Treu reform of 1997 – illustrated a change in the labor landscape, where long-term contracts began to seem outdated. The manifestation of San Precario went beyond a mere exhibition; it was a call to action and mobilization. His presence in public and commercial places was not by chance but a targeted strategy to highlight the pervasiveness of precarious work in people’s daily lives. A significant event was the sensitization initiative that took place on October 30, 2004, at the Esselunga in Via Ripamonti, Milan, turning San Precario into a symbol of protest against unstable working conditions in sectors like large-scale retail, heavily characterized by precarity.

The use of irony and satire in activities related to San Precario, such as masses and processions dedicated to him, served as a tool to bring to light what remained hidden, providing a platform for expression for those who did not find representation in classical trade unionism or established political institutions. At the same time, San Precario prompted critical reflection on market policies and the promise of flexicurity, which often translated into realities of insecurity and deprivation of social rights. What began as an expression limited to the Milanese context quickly extended, gaining support and recognition on a national and international scale. The Euromayday, a parade that includes precarious workers from various European nations, is evidence of the phenomenon’s transversal impact. The success and international spread of the movement reinforce the universal nature of labor precarity, highlighting the need for a solid collective response.
Solidarity in Precarity through San Precario
The figure of San Precario has emerged not only as a symbol of protest against labor precarity but also as a social glue for precarious workers. Artistic representations and narratives describing him have taken root in the culture of precarious workers, giving them not only a face and voice but also a shared mythology that strengthens the sense of belonging to a community. The imagery of San Precario has fueled collective actions that go beyond simple protest, transforming into true manifestations of solidarity among workers. The Mayday Parades, in particular, have become annual events gathering precarious workers in many European cities, emphasizing the importance of sharing experiences of precarity and the common struggle for rights and recognition. During these parades, the presence of San Precario — either as an iconographic image carried by protesters or in the narration of events — serves as a collective reference point uniting participants in a celebration of resistance against the oppression of precarious work. Through these demonstrations, the community of precarious workers experiences moments of visibility and solidarity, counteracting the typical fragmentation of precarity.


One of the most representative events of the movement’s commitment was undoubtedly the “all saints (the precarious), all bastards (the bosses)” campaign that manifested in public sensitization regarding the precarious working conditions at the Esselunga of Via Ripamonti, Milan, exemplifying how direct action can impact public discourse and stimulate solidarity. Beyond public events, the iconography of San Precario has spread through artworks, militant graphics, and communication materials that have reinforced the collective identity of precarious workers. For example, the distribution of San Precario “holy cards,” enriched with satirical prayers for protection against unfair dismissals and for job security, has underscored the community and almost “spiritual” aspect of the struggle against precarity.
Through his appearances in protests, San Precario has invited workers to recognize their experiences of precarity not as individual failures but as aspects of a systemic problem. The creation of a mythology around San Precario that ridicules the injustices of the labor market has promoted a vision of solidarity, in which workers are encouraged to support each other rather than compete in a solitary fight for survival. The collective actions inspired by San Precario have led precarious workers from a condition of isolation to one of a solid and active community. The mythology and iconography of San Precario not only serve to criticize labor precarity but also to build bridges of solidarity among individuals facing similar challenges, reinforcing the idea that, together, it is possible to fight for a future of dignified and secure work for all.
The Evolving Struggle Against Labor Precarity
Over time, San Precario has become much more than a mere symbolic representation, deeply rooting itself in Italian culture and society. This development has represented a significant moment in public discussion on labor precarity, radically altering its perception in the public debate. Through street art, public performances, and targeted use of social media, initiatives related to San Precario have played a crucial in bridging the gap between the individual experience of precarity and its collective understanding, making the consequences of extreme work flexibility more visible and evident.
Twenty years on, the conversation about San Precario has notably waned, not because the conditions of precarious workers have improved or their issues have been resolved. In reality, the movements advocating for the rights of the precariat have gradually disappeared from the public discourse. This phenomenon is understandable when considering that public debate requires free time, a resource increasingly scarce among precarious workers. The expected rise of political and cultural resistance against precarity has paradoxically led to its own stifling. The perpetual instability inherent in precarious employment has stripped individuals of their autonomy over time, making collective action or even disconnection from work a luxury many can no longer afford. The relentless encroachment of labor reforms, especially highlighted by the 2015 Jobs Act, has effectively eroded what little free time remained, extinguishing the possibility of collective mobilization and advocacy.
The Jobs Act was intended to flexibilize the labor market and stimulate employment. Paradoxically, it marked a turning point that further complicated the precarious worker’s landscape, deeply impacting their ability to mobilize and act collectively. In analyzing the decline of San Precario’s public presence and debate, it’s crucial to underline how the Jobs Act may have contributed to an evolution of precarious conditions, creating a context in which free time, essential for activism and collective resistance, has become an increasingly inaccessible luxury. This legislation, serving as the “tip of the iceberg” in a decade of labor reforms, has cemented a reality where the precarious worker is continuously balancing between the search for job opportunities and the necessity to adapt to increasingly unstable and uncertain work conditions. However, the gradual disappearance of the San Precario movement from public debate does not signal the dissolution of the precarious workers’ collective identity or the exhaustion of the issues they face. Rather, it indicates a transformation in the modes of resistance and dissent expression, in a period dominated by the logics of extreme flexibility and the systematic erosion of social and labor protections previously guaranteed. Despite the reduced media and political presence of San Precario as a symbolic figure, the needs and challenges that gave life to the movement persist and manifest through new forms of aggregation and struggle. The aforementioned case of the Deliverance Milano riders reflects how, even in the post-Jobs Act era, collective initiatives capable of investigating and combating new frontiers of labor precarity in the platform economy emerge. This shift in focus underscores a strategic adaptation to changed socio-economic conditions, confirming the resilience and renewed urgency of issues related to precarious work. Although the modes of mobilization may have taken different forms, the core of resistance to labor precarity remains as vital and relevant as ever, calling for continuous reflection on the future of work and workers’ rights in the current global socio-economic context.
Further readings
- Aris Accornero, San Precario lavora per noi. Gli impieghi temporanei in Italia, Milano 2006.
- Eloisa Betti, Precari e precarie. Una storia dell’Italia repubblicana, Roma 2019.
- Attila Bruni/Annalisa Murgia, Atipici o flessibili? San Precario salvaci tu!, in: Sociologia del lavoro. 2007.
Stefania Ricciardi et alii, Le culture del precariato. Pensiero, azione, narrazione, Verona 2015. - Beppe de Sario, “Precari su Marte”: An experiment in activism against precarity, in: Feminist Review. 2007, S. 21–39.
- Marcel van der Linden, San Precario. A New Inspiration for Labor Historians, in: Labor Studies in Working-Class History of the Americas 11. 2014, S. 9–21.
- Ilaria Vanni Accarigi/Marcello Tarì, On the Life and Deeds of San Precario, Patron Saint of Precarious Workers and Lives, in: Fibreculture Journal. 2005.
OpenEdition schlägt Ihnen vor, diesen Beitrag wie folgt zu zitieren:
Massimiliano Livi (6. Mai 2024). A Precarious Balance: San Precario’s Legacy and the Fight Against Fleeting Job Security. TrIBES. Abgerufen am 9. Februar 2025 von https://doi.org/10.58079/11n4p