General strike in Italy as workers fight cuts
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Italian workers take a stand
against brutal austerity cuts
Millions of Italian union members are taking part in a day-long strike against the government’s latest austerity measures. Flights have been cancelled, trains and buses are stationary, and government offices have been shut across Italy.
The Silvio Berlusconi government has faced criticism over a $50 billion austerity package, and has been scrambling to revise it.
CGIL, which called the general strike, is Italy’s largest union federation. It is demanding stronger action against tax dodgers and continuing job protection. It has been infuriated by a new clause that will make it easier to dismiss workers.
Today stocks in Milan fell more than 3% on concerns about the austerity plan. There were also stock market falls on Monday, and a new rise in interest rates payable on Italian government debt.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has compared Italy’s economic plight to that of Greece.
Meanwhile, Mr Berlusconi’s popularity rating has sunk to an all-time low.
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We could learn something from the European protests against cuts in social programs. Berlusconi is a corrupt pig.