General strike targets Italy's austerity measures

Transport workers are today leading a general strike organised by Italy's largest union group against the government's austerity measures.

Bus, subway and rail services are being suspended for four-hour periods throughout the country and airline employees also plan to strike. The Italian National Railway pledged that medium and long-term service would not be affected.

Some motor industry unions are also striking and public workers have stayed home.

The CGIL union federation says 25 billion euros in cuts hurts the weakest workers, and is pressing the government to do more to create growth.

Parliament is debating the measures that seek to cut Italy's bloated bureaucracy and fight rampant tax evasion.