(23 Jan 2012) STORY LINE
Italian taxi drivers staged a nationwide strike on Monday to protest against government measures to open up the taxi industry to more competition.
The government plans to issue more taxi licences as part of a liberalisation package approved last week as it seeks to convince investors it has a strategy to deal with its debts.
Taxi drivers in Rome claimed the measures were unfair because their earnings were likely to fall.
"Part time licences will bring to hunger the entire category (of taxi drivers), and many other workers too," said Alfio, who has been driving a taxi for almost 50 years.
"The government wants the cake to be shared by too many people, therefore it will not be enough for everybody. I want to eat everyday, not too much of course, but at least I want to have enough everyday."
In Rome the white cabs started gathered at Circo Massimo posting anti-government banners.
Driver Vincenzo Fodarella accused the government of playing politics.
"They made a decision based on ideology only, to hit taxi drivers, because that's the easiest way. In few months they will issue few thousands more of taxi driver licences, in this way they will increase revenues from VAT, and it will appear that more jobs have been created."
Premier Mario Monti's government, which came to power two months ago to try to save Italy from financial ruin, has passed austerity measures aimed at reducing the country's massive public debt.
It is now focusing a second phase of measures on boosting economic growth, including opening up industries that traditionally restrict newcomers, like cab drivers and pharmacists, to encourage competition.
Several strikes have already been called by various interest groups including truck drivers, pharmacists, notaries and lawyers.
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