Masses of protesters, most of them members of Italy's largest labor union, the CGIL, streamed through the streets of Rome, denouncing the proposed reforms. The right-wing government's plan would make it easier for Italian employers to hire and fire workers. The demonstrators are also protesting the assassination last Tuesday of government labor adviser Marco Biagi.

 Mr. Biagi, an architect of the government's labor reform plans, was killed in an attack claimed by the Red Brigades, an Italian terrorist group that had been largely considered defeated about a decade ago, after years of assassinations and kidnappings.

 The killers say they executed the labor adviser because of his proposals for reforming labor markets. The protest organizers have condemned the assassination as an act of terrorism.

 Mr. Biagi's murder came at a time of heightened social and political tension in Italy, with unions threatening a paralyzing general strike. The killing has also raised fears of a return to the politically motivated violence that scarred Italy in the 1970's and 1980's. Organizers say Saturday's march is the largest protest ever held in Italy - and one of several planned for the weeks ahead. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters. 

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version