Easy firing of absenteeists is law

(ANSA) - Rome, June 28 - A cabinet decree calling for civil servants who clock in then skyve off work to be fired within 30 days will become effective July 13 after it was published in the official gazette Tuesday.
    Cabinet gave the measure final approval on June 15.
    The decree in three articles says civil servants caught signing in and then leaving the workplace must be suspended within 48 hours, that disciplinary proceedings including termination must not take more than 30 days, and that managers and supervisors who turn a blind eye are also liable to be sacked.
    Government pledged to crack down on public sector absenteeism and Civil Service Minister Marianna Madia announced a decree "by June or July" after a spate of notorious cases, including that of a traffic cop who clocked in in his underwear and officials who went rowing or shopping when they should have been at work.