Overview
- - Walkouts called by CGIL and other unions are disrupting schools, hospitals, local transport, postal services and public offices across the country.
- - Union leader Maurizio Landini demands higher wages, bigger investments in health and education, and tax changes that shift the burden from workers and retirees.
- - The government defends the draft budget with measures including a 5% tax on negotiated pay rises, health funding increases and cuts for middle incomes.
- - Lawmakers are set to open debate in the Chamber of Deputies next week, with final Senate approval required by year‑end.
- - The protests draw on wider discontent over stagnant purchasing power in a country with no national minimum wage, with actions reported in roughly 100 cities.