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Politics
26 February 2025

Italy Prepares For General Strike On March 8, 2025

Major unions unite to advocate for women's rights and labor equality on International Women's Day.

A general strike has been declared for March 8, 2025, by the FIP CGIL, Italy's General Confederation of Labour. This action, coinciding with International Women's Day, calls for workers from both public and private sectors to participate fully throughout the day, including early shifts.

The strike particularly affects the Azienda Usl of Bologna, affecting numerous workers, including nurses, social health operators, technical staff, and administrative personnel. Medical and veterinary leadership is also involved, along with professionals from non-health technical and administrative sectors. This action is intended to bring attention to various pressing concerns related to labor rights and equality.

To mitigate service disruptions, the Azienda Usl has initiated procedures to maintain the minimum contingents of personnel for basic public services, complying with existing regulations and accepted agreements with labor unions.

Flc Cgil, the education sector union, is also leading its strike on March 8, emphasizing the need to confront the pervasive patriarchal culture and misogynistic policies influencing governmental decisions. According to reports, the union seeks to challenge the attacks on women's rights achieved over decades. They aim to spotlight both direct and indirect discrimination against women, and to address the marginalization and social vulnerabilities they face.

Gianna Fracassi, the head of Flc Cgil, stated, "...the culture patriarcale, misogina, maschilista che permea le scelte politiche del governo e si diffonde nell’agire sociale," emphasizing the cultural underpinnings of their grievances. The aim is to advocate for broader respect and to recognize the value of women across all sectors.

Specifically, the proclamations demand the defense of rights earned through relentless struggles by women, addressing issues from job security to pension accessibility. These issues are compounded by precarious job contracts and the persistent gender pay gap, which disproportionately affect women employed within various sectors.

Francesca noted the importance of defending bodily autonomy, stating, "...rivendicare i diritti ottenuti e quelli da conquistare..." This highlights the significance of protecting historical laws on voluntary termination of pregnancy and ensuring women's rights are fiercely defended.

The strike is supported not only by Flc Cgil but also by alternative unions like Slai-Cobas, as well as USB, which encompasses strikes across all categories within public and private labor sectors on the same date. This collective action reflects relentless advocacy for labor rights and recognition of contributions, especially from women, who represent a significant majority in sectors related to knowledge and education.

This event is set against the backdrop of heightened international focus on women's rights issues and calls for equality, aligning with global initiatives on March 8 each year. The anticipation is building as unions unite their efforts to demand substantial change and recognition of women’s rights and contributions to society.

The strike on March 8 resonates with broader societal sentiments, pushing back against entrenched norms and advocating for needed reforms. Organizers believe this will capture public attention, fostering discussions about the equitable treatment of women across employment spectrums.

With this general strike, unions are standing firm, not only advocating for immediate labor rights but also championing long-term societal change. The participation of diverse sectors emphasizes the collective will to fight against discrimination and to uphold the significant contributions of women to the workforce.