Italy economic situation 'very critical'

(ANSA) - Catania, March 31 - The latest economic statistics showing a rise in the jobless rate "prove, if proof were needed, that the economic and employment situation in the country is still very critical," Susanna Camusso, secretary-general of the CGIL trade union federation, said Tuesday.
    "We should stop saying that the recovery is around the corner," when the evidence says something else, she added.
    Istat reported earlier in the day that the unemployment rate rose to 12.7% in February from 12.6% the month before.
    The government of Premier Matteo Renzi has boasted of new contracts and job creation but that "propaganda" was based on partial and inconsistent data, Camusso said.
    "The reality, unfortunately, is very different".
    Camusso noted the jobless rate for women and young Italians was stubbornly high.