Monti bid to assuage union concerns on debt package
The Italian government’s financial rescue plan is yet to be finalised, but already labour unions are denouncing it and some politicians are suggesting they might not back all the anticipated harsh measures meant to save the country from bankruptcy.
Unions seem particularly galled that premier Mario Monti, in his rush to reassure markets about Italy’s ability to rein in its debt and spur growth, is doing away with the government’s traditional negotiations with them over any change to labour regulations or pensions.
But in a bid to ease tensions, Mr Monti’s office issued a statement yesterday that he will meet with various segments of society, including unions, the major industrial lobby and local governments, “with a goal of illustrating the guiding principals of the measures that will be adopted by the Cabinet on Monday”.
