Il lavoro come dovere

The essay suggests a unitary reconstruction of the concept of labour included into the Italian Constitution and marks the political value conferred to it by the Constitution itself. The duty to work as stated in article 4 of the Italian Constitution is analyzed in the light of the general discussion on constitutional duties. In this perspective, the essay offers a magis ut valeat interpretation of the article 4 of the Constitution. Special attention is given to the duty of work intended as a limit to the enjoyment of rights and to the cases in which from that duty derives a clear legal obligation.