No agreement on budget between Meloni government, trade unions

No agreement was reached between the Italian government and the main trade unions – CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL – regarding the 2024 at the Palazzo Chigi on Tuesday, which means the general strike of 15 December will go ahead.

The unions are contesting the budget that will be approved by 31 December. One of the key topics is the pension provision, particularly for health workers.

“I confirm all the reasons for the strike because beyond listening, at the moment, the government has not changed anything about the manoeuvre that continues to be wrong”, said CGIL Secretary General Maurizio Landini.

“Once again, the insensitivity to the many demands from the squares is confirmed. To the question whether it is true or false that they are cashing in on pensions, they did not answer, as we expected”, Uil secretary Pierpaolo Bombardieri said.

Meloni said that there are plans to revise the pension law, particularly regarding healthcare workers, and that the new measures will not penalise those eligible for an old age pension and those with a high contribution period.

Although divided, all unions contest the entire budget or parts of it. Since no agreement was reached with the executive during Tuesday’s meeting, a 24-hour non-stop vehicle strike will occur.

(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)

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