Health workers across Italy held a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, protesting against the coalition government's proposed budget for next year. The budget, which is currently working its way through the Italian Parliament, includes pension cuts for some medical professionals.
At a sit-in organized by trade unions in central Rome, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers gathered holding placards and blowing whistles, despite storms and rain showers sweeping across the Italian capital.
At the top of their list of demands was the reversal of the planned pension cuts. "Everyone is sensitive about this subject but it is not something that can be solved by one politician or a single person," said one trade union member at the sit-in.
"You need political will and the will to guarantee that public services get what they need and not push people into the private sector because the state can't give guarantees."
Health workers braved the rain to protest in central Rome on Tuesday. /Giles Gibson/CGTN Europe
Many of the striking workers believe there also needs to be systemic changes to Italy's national health service.
"We've come from all over Italy, young and not so young, because we still care about our job, which we're passionate about. But they have to give us the conditions in which we can do it well," said a woman holding a placard bearing the logo of one of the trade unions that organised the strike.
Essential services such as emergency rooms in hospitals have been maintained during the 24-hour walkout. However, other services such as pre-booked tests and scans were set to be severely disrupted.
One protester with a sign proclaiming 'shame!' at the proposed budget cuts. /Giles Gibson/CGTN Europe
Italy's national health service is also facing some serious long-term challenges, after coming under enormous strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade unions estimate that about a quarter of the service's total staff are set to retire by 2025.
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The government hopes to plug that gap by hiring more staff from abroad but it is struggling to compete with other countries such as Germany and the UK, where pay levels are higher.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition has also said it is engaging with trade unions to modify its plans around pensions. In a bid to put more pressure on the government to change tack, trade unions have already called another strike later this month.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she is working with the unions on compromise. /Giles Gibson/CGTN Europe
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