WORLD
Advocates Philippines
Italy's Biggest Trade Union Calls General Strike Over Budget Woes
Photo credit: CGIL
Italy’s largest trade union, the CGIL, is gearing up for a major show of force on Friday, 12 December, as it stages a nationwide general strike to protest what it calls an unjust and tone-deaf budget from the Meloni government.
For the union, the proposed budget misses the mark in a big way — prioritizing higher spending on weapons while millions of workers and pensioners continue to struggle just to get by.
CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini didn’t hold back in explaining why the union felt compelled to call for a strike.
“We want wages to increase — people cannot be poor while working,” he said, stressing that Italy’s workforce deserves real relief. “Wages must be raised, and investment should not go into weapons but into public healthcare, public education, and knowledge.”
Landini also pointed out that Italy’s tax system needs serious fixing and that tax evasion remains a massive problem that drains resources from essential public services.
At the heart of the strike, he said, is a simple message: Italy needs a society built around people’s needs — not one that leaves workers behind.
For the union, the proposed budget misses the mark in a big way — prioritizing higher spending on weapons while millions of workers and pensioners continue to struggle just to get by.
CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini didn’t hold back in explaining why the union felt compelled to call for a strike.
“We want wages to increase — people cannot be poor while working,” he said, stressing that Italy’s workforce deserves real relief. “Wages must be raised, and investment should not go into weapons but into public healthcare, public education, and knowledge.”
Landini also pointed out that Italy’s tax system needs serious fixing and that tax evasion remains a massive problem that drains resources from essential public services.
At the heart of the strike, he said, is a simple message: Italy needs a society built around people’s needs — not one that leaves workers behind.
Dec 8, 2025
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