Italians march against contested labor reforms

Protesters waved red flags bearing the logo of Italy's largest union, the CGIL, as they marched through the capital on Saturday, demanding the government do more to create jobs and boost workers' security. Organizers' estimates of the turnout ranged from tens of thousands to as many as one million people.

Unionists are angry about a series of measures proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, which involve a relaxation of job protection rules in order to encourage companies to hire more young people. But unions argue the changes could also make it easier for employers to fire workers.

"We want work for everyone, and work with rights. This is a demonstration for those without work, without rights, those who suffer, who have no certainties for the future," CGIL head Susanna Camusso told the crowd.

"We are here and we're not going away. We will strike, and use all our strength to fight to change this government's policies," she said.

Italy is the eurozone's third largest country, and its employment rate is one of the lowest in the group of 18 nations. Joblessness among young people stands at a record 44.2 percent, and often youth who are in work have little job security.

Plan to shake up the system

Thirty-nine-year-old Renzi has made the fight against unemployment a cornerstone of his leadership. In September, he won backing from his center-left Democratic Party (PD) for planned reforms of the labor market which critics argue deter companies from hiring staff and taking on young people.

Renzi's measures aim to kick-start Italy's economy - whose output has shrunk by 9 percent since the financial crisis began in 2007 - and fix a job market largely characterized by older employees in secure jobs and young workers with few protections.

The union movement is "protesting against a reform which aims to create work. It is protesting to defend the past, but we want to build a future for our young people," Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Alfano was quoted as saying by Italian media.

Economists and European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have embraced the proposed reforms.

However, participants in Saturday's protest, along with the unions and some left-wing members of Renzi's party, say the measures leave workers with fewer rights and won't address the underlying economic problems.

The biggest point of contention is the debate over changes to Article 18 of the Jobs Act, a law which currently protects workers who are unfairly dismissed. The CGIL has likened Renzi to former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who took steps to weaken the power of trade unions in the 1980s.

"If Renzi and his government have their antennas up, as they usually do, they will receive a very strong signal today, which is that the majority of the people who work and who want to work in this country do not agree with their politics," FIOM union general secretary Maurizio Landini told Reuters.

As protesters voiced their anger on the streets of Rome, Renzi was in Florence hosting a meeting on jobs and investment with his fellow party members.

nm/tj (Reuters, AFP)