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Voices For Change: 200,000 Fill Rome Streets Demanding Jobs, Fair Pay, And True Democracy
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ROME — It was a sea of red flags and raised fists in the heart of the Italian capital as more than 200,000 people flooded Piazza San Giovanni on Saturday for the “Democracy at Work” rally — a massive show of unity organized by CGIL, Italy’s largest trade union.
Workers, retirees, and students came together with one message: Italy needs a fairer deal. The crowd chanted for better wages, job security, and a government that truly listens to the people who keep the country running.
“Work is dignity — and without dignity, there can be no democracy,” declared CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Landini called out what he described as years of neglect toward workers’ rights and living wages, urging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to shift priorities and rebuild a country “where work and justice go hand in hand.”
‘Democracy Doesn’t End at the Factory Gate’
Joining Landini on stage was Luc Triangle, head of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), who reminded everyone that labor struggles are global.
“Defending workplace democracy isn’t just an Italian issue — it’s a fight that belongs to workers everywhere,” Triangle said, as union leaders from across Europe waved their banners in solidarity.
What the Protesters Want
At the heart of Saturday’s demonstration were clear demands:
• Renewal of collective bargaining agreements,
• Stronger protections against precarious and unstable jobs,
• Greater investment in healthcare and education, and
• A fairer tax reform that doesn’t leave workers paying the price.
The CGIL also sounded the alarm over Meloni’s 2026 budget plans, warning that proposed cuts to welfare and culture could widen the gap between rich and poor.
A Movement, Not Just a March
Beyond the chants and banners, “Democracy at Work” was about vision — a call to rebuild Italy around equality, solidarity, and participation.
“This isn’t just about salaries or benefits,” Landini said. “It’s about the kind of country we want to live in — one that truly belongs to everyone.”
As night fell over Rome, the chants still echoed through the streets: “Lavoro, dignità, democrazia!” — Work, dignity, democracy.
Workers, retirees, and students came together with one message: Italy needs a fairer deal. The crowd chanted for better wages, job security, and a government that truly listens to the people who keep the country running.
“Work is dignity — and without dignity, there can be no democracy,” declared CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Landini called out what he described as years of neglect toward workers’ rights and living wages, urging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to shift priorities and rebuild a country “where work and justice go hand in hand.”
‘Democracy Doesn’t End at the Factory Gate’
Joining Landini on stage was Luc Triangle, head of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), who reminded everyone that labor struggles are global.
“Defending workplace democracy isn’t just an Italian issue — it’s a fight that belongs to workers everywhere,” Triangle said, as union leaders from across Europe waved their banners in solidarity.
What the Protesters Want
At the heart of Saturday’s demonstration were clear demands:
• Renewal of collective bargaining agreements,
• Stronger protections against precarious and unstable jobs,
• Greater investment in healthcare and education, and
• A fairer tax reform that doesn’t leave workers paying the price.
The CGIL also sounded the alarm over Meloni’s 2026 budget plans, warning that proposed cuts to welfare and culture could widen the gap between rich and poor.
A Movement, Not Just a March
Beyond the chants and banners, “Democracy at Work” was about vision — a call to rebuild Italy around equality, solidarity, and participation.
“This isn’t just about salaries or benefits,” Landini said. “It’s about the kind of country we want to live in — one that truly belongs to everyone.”
As night fell over Rome, the chants still echoed through the streets: “Lavoro, dignità, democrazia!” — Work, dignity, democracy.
Oct 28, 2025
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