We'll protect weakest if recession comes - Di Maio

(ANSA) - Rome, January 22 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Tuesday that the government would make sure the weakest sectors of society are protected if the economy goes into recession. He was speaking at an event with Premier Giuseppe Conte to present the government's new 'citizenship wage' basic income for job seekers.
    "If there is ever a recession - I don't know if we'll go into recession - we'll protect the weakest segments of society with the citizenship wage. We won't do what the others before us did," 5-Star Movement leader Di Maio said. The Bank of Italy and the IMF have both slashed their GDP growth forecasts for 2019 for Italy to 0.6%, adding to concerns that the economy could be at risk of a new recession. Di Maio said soon-to-be-introduced benefit of up to 780 euros will not make it possible for people to "stay on the couch" but will help people get back into the world of work.
    He said the benefit will be withdrawn if a recipient refuses three jobs offers. He added that it will not be possible to use the card with 'citizenship wage' funds for gambling.