The government is trying to portray the bill as a job creation measure. "If we only eliminate Article 18 in the area around Milan, we will create tens of thousands of new jobs," claimed Roberto Maroni, the welfare minister.

The Cgil has received little support from Italy's two other leading labor unions, the Cisl and Uil. Both organizations say they support efforts to press the government to back off its antilabor moves, but are committed to holding talks over the issue.

The Berlusconi administration has indicated little concern about any mass labor action. "If [the Cgil] were really determined to act they would have called the strike for next week," said one senior government official.  
 
 
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