Fiat Chrysler sets bonus scheme for Italian workers

US-Italian carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced an incentive system for employees in Italy tied to the group's productivity and profits in a move it hopes will improve prickly labour-management relations.

FCA said in an announcement released late Thursday the scheme will pay bonuses to autoworkers tied to "productivity, quality and profitability targets established in the 2015-2018 business plan."

The proposal -- which FCA says will cost a maximum of around 600 million euros ($646 million) over the four year period -- was designed by the company executives to turn the page on traditionally adversarial relationships in Italy between labour and management by more closely associating workers with financial and business objectives.

"In recent years, FCA has had to deal with the historical remnants of a stale labour relations model which pitched capital against labour. Those days are finally gone," said FCA chief Sergio Marchionne.

"What we are proposing today is a scheme which recognises the central role that our workers play in the achievement of our 2015 - 18 strategic plan. Without them and their commitment, the plan is simply unachievable."

The scheme outlines two forms of supplementary pay beyond employees' base salary. One is tied to meeting or surpassing annual targets, while the other is pegged to specific goals set for the Europe-Middle East-Africa region.

Autoworkers will receive bonuses worth 12 percent of base pay if objectives are met, and up to 20 percent extra if targets are surpassed.

FCA said potential additional remuneration for a "middle category" skilled hourly employee over the entire four year period would total 7,000 euros if targets are fulfilled, and 10,700 if they are exceeded.

"By incentivising employees toward achievement of our strategic targets, the new compensation system represents a significant step forward,” said Marchionne.

The plan will intially cover all employees assembling cars, and a similar arrangement is being planned for workers producing components.