Italy: Millions of Italians from the Alps to the island of Sicily staged a half-day strike yesterday against government plans to reform the pensions system, causing problems for public transport, closing factories and shutting schools.
However, business leaders suggested the walkout was smaller than in recent labour disputes and Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi's supporters said they would press ahead with moves to raise the retirement age regardless.
Italy's three main unions said 1.5 million flag-waving, whistle-blowing protesters had demonstrated in piazzas around the country, and some 10 million workers - about 80 per cent of those on full-time contracts - had downed tools for four hours.
"It's necessity that's forced us out into the streets," said Marcello Cedroni (83), protesting in Rome's baroque Piazza Navona. "I'm a pensioner and I'm finding it hard to survive now. Under the new system, it will be even worse."
The government reform would prevent people retiring before they have made 40 years of contributions or reached a minimum age of 65 for men and 60 for women. At the moment, Italians can retire at 57 if they have paid into the system for 35 years.
With the economy in recession, the protests have come at a difficult time for Mr Berlusconi, whose first short-lived government in 1994 was toppled over the same pensions issue.
However, this time all his coalition partners have signed up to the reform and look certain to weather the storm.
Hospitals said they could only guarantee staff for emergency services, schoolchildren got a bonus day at home and Milan's La Scala opera had to cancel its evening performance.
But it was travellers that bore the brunt. National airline Alitalia axed more than 150 afternoon flights and morning trains were cancelled.
Like France and Germany, Italy is trying to reform its pensions system, which swallows about 15 per cent of gross domestic product - one of the highest levels in Europe.
That proportion is set to grow as low birth rates and longer life expectancy age the country's population, but unions argue that a 1995 reform was enough to avert any crisis.
"If the government doesn't change its course and recognise the strength of our arguments, they can expect us to continue our protests," said Guglielmo Epifani, head of the largest union CGIL, leading a march in the northern city of Bologna.