DOPOLAVORO (to give the institution its full name, Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro), is an Italian organization which arose through the efforts of a group interested in improving the oppor tunities afforded the workers for intelligent recreation in their leisure hours, a question of great importance since the eight-hour day became, first by agreement in 1919 and then by law in 1923, the normal working day in Italian industries: This group founded in Rome in 191 o an "Afterwork Office," to promote and assist the development of welfare and recreational efforts organized by employers for their dependents and the f or mation of friendly societies among the workers. Its efforts at tracted attention, and in 1922 its purposes received the formal approval of the national Fascist party. At the close of 1923 the Confederation of Fascist Trade Unions joined the Welfare move ment, and the office passed under its control. In 1924 this office was represented by a special delegate at the 6th International Labour Conference at Geneva, where the employment of workers' leisure hours was an item on the agenda. The Italian proposals were approved, and most of them embodied in the recommenda tion to Governthents adopted by that conference.
The movement grew rapidly in Italy, extending from factory workers to other large groups, including the employees of the State railways, postal, telegraph and telephone services, and other Government and municipal enterprises. This led to its incorpora tion by a Decree Law of May 1, 1925, enacted in March 1926, under the title "Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro," which assigns to this work—and in this the Dopolavoro differs radically from ef forts on similar lines in other countries—the character of a func tion of the State. The act describes the purpose of the Opera as follows : "to promote the healthy and profitable use of the leisure hours of brain and manual workers by institutions which aim at developing their physical, intellectual and moral capacities ; to promote and co-ordinate such institutions by affording them and their members all requisite help, associating them for the joint purchase of equipment," etc. The Government granted the Opera an endowment fund of i,000,000 lire, and assigns it an annual grant of 400,000 lire. Besides this it receives annual contributions from local government bodies and associations, the annual dues paid by the affiliated societies, donations, etc.
The Opera has its headquarters in Rome. It is governed by a president and board of directors and has, as chief executive officer, a general director, all appointed for a term of 5 years by the prime minister. It is placed under the supervision of the ministry of national economy, and its accounts are audited by a board ap pointed by the ministries of guilds, finance and national economy. The central directorate is assisted by the voluntary services of distinguished experts who sit on a series of advisory commissions dealing inter alia with (I) cinematography, (2) broadcasting, (3) music, (4) theatrical entertainments, (5) general culture, (6) vocational training, (7) Women's welfare work, (8) nursing and health work, (9) folklore, (1 o) domestic economy, (I I) factory welfare work, (i 2) sanitation, (13) workmen's housing, (I4) fur nishing of the home, (15) excursions, (16) travel, (17) sports, (18) gardens and allotments.
The central directorate acts in each province through an "After= work" office presided over by the provincial secretary of the Fas cist party, assisted by a board and an advisory committee. The provincial office promotes, directs and supervises the local "After work" associations of the province, organized under the auspices of the Government departments, municipalities, banks, great man ufacturing or business companies, etc., and the pre-existing volun tary welfare, educational, friendly or spotting societies affiliated to it.
Societies affiliated to the Opera obtain for their members, who pay an annual tax of 5 lire, free entrance to museums, excava tions, etc., 5o% reduction on 3rd class railway rates for week-end holidays and excursions; solo reduction on theatre and cinema tickets; discounts from booksellers; special facilities for ama teur theatrical companies, philharmonic societies, etc., besides many special educational and medical advantages for themselves and their children.
The Opera pays special attention to developing the innate artistic and musical gifts of the Italian worker, to reviving choral and part singing, to fostering local tradition in arts and crafts, folk dances, etc., to developing a love of open air sports, for which it provides playing grounds, gymnasiums, etc., and to opening libraries for its members. It has met with active support. Italian manufacturers are rapidly developing their welfare work, provid ing housing accommodation for their employees (18,565 families were thus housed at the close of 1927 as against 9,54o in 1923), facilities for games, sports and intelligent recreation, as well as dispensaries, mutual credit and insurance societies, night, technical and trade schools and classes, etc.
At the end of November 1927 the Opera had 800,000 members, and 3,90o affiliated societies, engaged in the following activities: 459 theatrical, 366 musical, 241 choral, 265 educational, 821 for sports, 1;499 recreational, 273 welfare initiatives organized by business houses, 94 by public services and 116 by the Opera itself. Without attempting to replace private initiative in these fields, the institution supervises, controls, co-ordinates and en courages those activities which, in its judgment, promote the physical, intellectual and moral progress of the nation.
(O. R. A.)