CGIL Accused of Prioritizing Leftist Agenda Over Workers by Premier Meloni

Rome: Italy’s biggest and most left-wing trade union federation, CGIL, has come under fire from Premier Giorgia Meloni for allegedly prioritizing the defense of the Left over the interests of the workers it represents. The criticism comes in the wake of a general strike called by the union last Friday in support of Gaza. Meloni expressed her views on this matter during a prime-time show set to be broadcast on Rai TV Tuesday night.

According to Ansa News Agency, Meloni elaborated on her stance during her appearance on Cinque minuti, a five-minute segment that airs after the evening news on Rai’s flagship channel, Raiuno. She clarified that her critique of the strike was not overly harsh but rather a statement of her personal opinion, labeling the action as “specious.” Meloni pointed out that during the ten-year period of left-wing governance, the CGIL called for six general strikes, whereas, under her three-year government, the union has already initiated four such actions.

Meloni further argued that these strikes occur despite favorable trends in employment and wages, and a decrease in job insecurity. She highlighted that the recent strike was particularly unusual as it focused on foreign policy, marking an unprecedented move in the union’s history. Meloni reiterated her belief that the CGIL is more invested in defending the Left’s agenda than addressing the needs and concerns of the workers it is meant to represent.