Jobs are the prime tool in fighting
inequality, Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan told
Confcommercio retailers association Thursday.
"The government is committed to improving the lives of
citizens" through tax cuts and by creating employment, he said.
"Employment is the first tool in combating inequality," Padoan
said after Istat data released earlier in the day showed a 2015
rise in absolute poverty in Italy.
The government's commitment to job creation "has been
unprecedented in the past 20 years", Padoan said.
Padoan added the government is also determined to keep
cutting taxes in a bid to stimulate the economy, including by
cancelling safeguard clauses. The tax burden has been coming
down since 2014 and reached 42.9% in 2015, he said.
"The government is determined to continue in this
direction," Padoan said, adding that forging ahead on reforms is
the only way forward.
"In the face of an uncertain European and global picture,
the only possible road is to continue change and reform," he
said.
"Halting reforms today means turning back the clock,
increasing uncertainty and distrust, and worsening future
prospects with clear negative effects on economic recovery".
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