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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Italy trade unions strike over Renzi's labour reforms | Italy trade unions strike over Renzi's labour reforms |
| (5 months later) | |
| A general strike has paralysed transport and shut schools and hospitals across Italy, as workers protest against labour market reforms. | A general strike has paralysed transport and shut schools and hospitals across Italy, as workers protest against labour market reforms. |
| Scuffles broke out between the police and some protesters in the northern cities of Milan and Turin. Rallies took place in all major cities. | Scuffles broke out between the police and some protesters in the northern cities of Milan and Turin. Rallies took place in all major cities. |
| Trade unions say the government's reforms would endanger job security by making it easier to dismiss workers. | Trade unions say the government's reforms would endanger job security by making it easier to dismiss workers. |
| But Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says Italy needs mobility of labour. | But Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says Italy needs mobility of labour. |
| The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader will have to find a way to overcome the striking unions' opposition - something his many predecessors failed to do, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from Rome. | The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader will have to find a way to overcome the striking unions' opposition - something his many predecessors failed to do, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from Rome. |
| Economic malaise | Economic malaise |
| Mr Renzi is under pressure from his European partners to revive the Italian economy - Europe's fourth largest - which is mired in recession and laden with debt. | Mr Renzi is under pressure from his European partners to revive the Italian economy - Europe's fourth largest - which is mired in recession and laden with debt. |
| His flagship reform is a "Jobs Act" aimed at loosening workplace restrictions and reducing Italy's 43% youth unemployment. | His flagship reform is a "Jobs Act" aimed at loosening workplace restrictions and reducing Italy's 43% youth unemployment. |
| The unions say existing regulations are necessary to protect workers from being sacked by unscrupulous companies. They fear the spread of a "hire-and-fire" culture. | The unions say existing regulations are necessary to protect workers from being sacked by unscrupulous companies. They fear the spread of a "hire-and-fire" culture. |
| Angelo, a metal worker, told the BBC in Rome: "If there are demonstrations every day in Italy it's not because people are stupid, but because they're tired that the government always takes it out on the most vulnerable groups." | Angelo, a metal worker, told the BBC in Rome: "If there are demonstrations every day in Italy it's not because people are stupid, but because they're tired that the government always takes it out on the most vulnerable groups." |
| Thousands of union members took to the streets on Friday, from Milan to Palermo in the south. | Thousands of union members took to the streets on Friday, from Milan to Palermo in the south. |
| The industrial action is the first-ever by two of Italy's largest union confederations against a centre-left government. | The industrial action is the first-ever by two of Italy's largest union confederations against a centre-left government. |
| Centre-left administrations have traditionally had close relationships with the unions. | Centre-left administrations have traditionally had close relationships with the unions. |
| Correspondents say it is a sign of internal discord within Mr Renzi's own party, with some members of his Democratic Party joining the marches. | Correspondents say it is a sign of internal discord within Mr Renzi's own party, with some members of his Democratic Party joining the marches. |
| In recent years, a series of Italian governments have tried and failed to reform the country's employment laws. | In recent years, a series of Italian governments have tried and failed to reform the country's employment laws. |
| GDP has fallen by 0.4% in the past year, and in the decade to 2010 only two countries had lower GDP growth than Italy - Haiti and Zimbabwe. | GDP has fallen by 0.4% in the past year, and in the decade to 2010 only two countries had lower GDP growth than Italy - Haiti and Zimbabwe. |
| Are you taking part in industrial action? Have you been affected by the strikes? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you taking part in industrial action? Have you been affected by the strikes? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. | If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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