More than 500,000 people joined the general strike in Italy on Friday (May 29, 2024). Called by the CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) and the UIL (Italian Labour Union), the strike was called in protest against the 2025 Budget proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Brothers of Italy, right).
Meloni‘s budget is considered “completely inadequate” by labor groups to address Italy’s issues. The demands include funding public services, health care, education, and industrial policies, as well as raising the purchasing power of wages and pensions.
In the end, the strike was considered “successful” by the CGIL. “The workplace accepted the rationale behind our mobilization. Over 70% of people supported the strike, and in more than forty-three peaceful and democratic protests, half a million people took to the streets, the confederation said in a statement.
“[The budget law] does not respond to the needs of the country and its citizens, and today’s crowded squares demonstrated this. Raising wages and pensions, financing health care, education, and public services, and investing in industrial policies are priorities for workers,” the unions said.
The CGIL reports that over 70% of the following sectors participated: agro-industry, metalworking, chemicals, rubber, plastics, and textiles; construction; wooden furniture; services; and land, sea, and air transportation. More than 100 ITA Airways flights were canceled in the aviation industry.
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