‘Italy, Europe listen to the work’, CGIL procession today in Rome

Students, environmentalists, pacifists, partisans, international trade unions: once again the CGIL takes to the streets calling on a vast social area with which to reiterate the request to put work back at the center of the political agenda. An appeal that this time the union, led by Maurizio Landini, also turns to Europe but above all to the first right-wing government that will soon take office in Palazzo Chigi. A dense procession, colorful and festive, parades through the streets of Rome to Piazza del Popolo, shouting ‘Italy, Europe, listen to the work’. The economic situation on the other hand is getting heavy. Confindustria itself hypothesizes the arrival of heavy stagnation for the next few months and draws a gloomy industrial picture: if Russia were to completely block the supply of gas, not only would a decline of 1.5% in GDP be counted. 2022-2023, but also 294 thousand fewer employees. And Europe is still looking for a gas price roof deal, which still seems difficult. Colorful and ironic square, hundreds of demonstrators wearing the red CGIL T-shirt with an inscription recalls the famous English poster: “Keep calm … and listen to the work”, it reads. And then signs, banners of every category, Fiom, Flai, Filcams, Fit, Filtcem just to name a few. And then the immense pacifist banner: 10-15 meters to ask for peace peace peace along the entire length of the red fabric. Very long banner also for the network of middle students. “School, work, environment, sanity, we want everything “, they say. COFFERED -” The CGIL has a platform and it is right that it supports it with normal initiatives: then in a few days there will be a new government “comments the former historical leader of the CGIL, Sergio Cofferati. “And I think it is an exercise in democracy to publicly support a platform that will later become an element of confrontation with the government.” purchase of salaries and pensions and the flexibility of the social security system: all objectives that I totally agree with and for which we must continue to fight “says Cesare Damiano, former Minister of Labor and in the Inail Board of Directors, present in Piazza del Popolo with the CGIL. “But I want to add – he continues – that I am happy to be with this people who are not only asking for more quality work, but also asking the world to work to put an end to the war”.