Italy's labour costs, wages below eurozone average-update

(ANSA) - Rome, December 22 - Italy is below the eurozone average both for hourly labour costs and hourly wages, Istat said in a report based on 2012 data. It said the cost of an hour of labour in Italy was 27.50 euros on average, compared to a eurozone average of 28.40. It said average gross pay per hour in Italy was 19.90 euros, compared to 21.2% for the eurozone. The national statistics agency said the figures excluded the civil service and defence sectors.