Employment
Vatican labour law with ULSA and its own conciliation route
Employment of lay staff is governed by Vatican labour legislation and the regulations of the Roman Curia, applied by the Labour Office of the Apostolic See. Disputes go first to conciliation and arbitration rather than the ordinary courts.
Key rules
- ULSA administers employment conditions for personnel of the Apostolic See.
- Disputes are handled through a dedicated conciliation and arbitration board.
- Work is expected to conform to the Church's social teaching on just wages and family support.
Governing law
- Law on labour in Vatican City State (1989)
- Regulation of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA)
In practice
There is no right to strike and no trade union in the ordinary sense; the lay employees' association fulfils a representative role.