Millions strike in Italy to protest pension reforms

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, snarling public transport, closing factories and shutting schools.

However, business leaders suggested the walkout was smaller than in recent labour disputes and Prime Minister 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, clad in red and 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.