This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6976779.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sicilian businessmen fight Mafia | Sicilian businessmen fight Mafia |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The Sicilian Mafia, the Cosa Nostra, is facing a revolt by local businessmen who refuse to pay protection money. | The Sicilian Mafia, the Cosa Nostra, is facing a revolt by local businessmen who refuse to pay protection money. |
| Until now almost every business in the Sicilian capital, Palermo, has paid off the Mafia or faced retribution. | Until now almost every business in the Sicilian capital, Palermo, has paid off the Mafia or faced retribution. |
| In Italy it is known as the unofficial tax, the pizzo, and statistics prove it is an enormous drain on the economy. | In Italy it is known as the unofficial tax, the pizzo, and statistics prove it is an enormous drain on the economy. |
| But since the boss of bosses, Bernardo Provenzano, was arrested last year, the island's anti-Mafia movement has been gathering momentum. | But since the boss of bosses, Bernardo Provenzano, was arrested last year, the island's anti-Mafia movement has been gathering momentum. |
| Conservative estimates say the pizzo costs Italian business at least $14 billion (10bn euros; £7 bn) a year. | |
| Death threats | Death threats |
| But now in Sicily brave business leaders are hitting back. | But now in Sicily brave business leaders are hitting back. |
| At a meeting of the Sicilian branch of the employer's federation, Confindustria, members voted unanimously to expel any of their members who continue to pay the Mafia's tax. | At a meeting of the Sicilian branch of the employer's federation, Confindustria, members voted unanimously to expel any of their members who continue to pay the Mafia's tax. |
| They were voting to support Andrea Veccio, a well-known construction boss on the island who has told the Cosa Nostra he is no longer going to pay. | They were voting to support Andrea Veccio, a well-known construction boss on the island who has told the Cosa Nostra he is no longer going to pay. |
| Families in Sicily want to lead an honest life and build up their businesses, but they are suffocated by organised crime Ettore ArtioliConfindustria Since taking his bold decision he has received four death threats and two of his building sites have been sabotaged. | Families in Sicily want to lead an honest life and build up their businesses, but they are suffocated by organised crime Ettore ArtioliConfindustria Since taking his bold decision he has received four death threats and two of his building sites have been sabotaged. |
| He and is family are now living under constant police protection. | He and is family are now living under constant police protection. |
| Ettore Artioli, Vice-President of Confindustria in the south, says he applauds the decision his members have taken. | Ettore Artioli, Vice-President of Confindustria in the south, says he applauds the decision his members have taken. |
| "This is a cancer which eats up too many resources. It is inflicting huge damage not only on the economy but also society in general." | "This is a cancer which eats up too many resources. It is inflicting huge damage not only on the economy but also society in general." |
| "There are so many families in Sicily who want to lead an honest life and build up their businesses, but they are suffocated by organised crime," he added. | "There are so many families in Sicily who want to lead an honest life and build up their businesses, but they are suffocated by organised crime," he added. |
| Researchers from the University of Palermo say the Mafia demands around $80 a month from street vendors in Palermo and up to $1,000 a month from restaurants and hotels. | Researchers from the University of Palermo say the Mafia demands around $80 a month from street vendors in Palermo and up to $1,000 a month from restaurants and hotels. |
| Firms in charge on construction sites or road maintenance contracts can expect to pay over $20,000 per site. | Firms in charge on construction sites or road maintenance contracts can expect to pay over $20,000 per site. |
| But the deeper effect of this extortion racket is that businesses from outside the region often decide not to invest. | But the deeper effect of this extortion racket is that businesses from outside the region often decide not to invest. |
| It means that across huge areas of the south, towns and communities are kept poor while, perversely, the Mafia and its bosses rake in a multi-billion dollar profit. | It means that across huge areas of the south, towns and communities are kept poor while, perversely, the Mafia and its bosses rake in a multi-billion dollar profit. |