Big differences with govt, strike possible - CGIL union head

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 18 - Maurizio Landini, the president of Italy's biggest trade-union confederation, the CGIL, said Saturday that a general strike may be held to protest against the policies of Premier Giorgia Meloni's government.
    "There's a very deep, very big difference with the government," Landini said as he wrapped up the CGIL's congress, which Meloni addressed on Friday.
    "There is no chance of discussion for the whole Italian union movement.
    "It is necessary to start mobilization, with no instruments ruled out, including a strike if necessary".
    He said that the CGIL wants to take action with Italy's two other big unions, CISL and UIL, and that a meeting has been arranged for talks with them next week.
    The unions have expressed opposition to the government's plans for reform of the tax system, which see the nation's income tax bands being cut for four to three as part of the process towards bringing in a flat tax for all workers by the end of the parliamentary term.
    Unions and opposition parties said it is unfair that high and low earners should pay the same tax rates.
    "We want to change this country more than the government and the political parties do," Landini said.
    "We say to CISIL and UIL that we want to do it together with you and the workers.
    "They won't stop us. We'll win the battle.
    "What are we afraid of? What have we got to lose? "The pensions that we don't have? Job insecurity? The salaries that don't last until the end of the month?".
    Meloni stuck to her guns when she addressed the congress on Friday, reiterating her opposition to introducing a minimum wage and standing by her decision to scrap the 'citizenship wage' minimum-income benefit for the jobless, saying it had "failed in its aims". (ANSA).