Hundreds of thousands of working people in Italy observed a day-long strike on September 6, 2011, against the latest “austerity” measures of the Italian government.
Hundreds of thousands of working people in Italy observed a day-long strike on September 6, 2011, against the latest “austerity” measures of the Italian government.
The Italian people, like people in Greece, Spain and other countries of Europe, have been fighting against the plans of their government to push the burden of the crisis on to the backs of the working people through “austerity” measures. In Italy, the government announced a 45 billion Euro “austerity” package, but had to back-track on several provisions in the face of sustained opposition from the working people. During the general strike called on 6th September, flights, trains and buses were cancelled and most offices including government offices were shut.
The working people and their unions demanded that proposals facilitate dismissal of workers be scrapped. Due to the protests, the government has been forced to backtrack on pension reforms and the scrapping of local councils in smaller towns. The government also announced a revised wealth tax of 3 % on people earning more than 300,000 Euros (about 2 crore Rupees) a year, and also a plan to crack down on rich tax evaders.