Demonstrators march in Naples as Meloni govt. ends welfare benefit
Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Naples to voice their outrage over the Meloni government’s planned phase-out of the 'Citizen Income' welfare benefit.
Footage shows angry demonstrators facing a line of anti-riot police outside the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) headquarters on Wednesday. Later, they were seen marching through the city center with large banners displaying the slogan, 'Never again without basic citizen income'.
According to local media, around 500 protesters took to the streets, marching to Italy’s National Institute for Social Security (INPS) headquarters.
On July 27, approximately 169,000 families in Italy received a text message informing them that they would no longer be receiving the 'Reddito di Cittadinanza' (Citizen Income), a monthly allowance to help purchase food, pay energy bills and cover rent costs. The measure was officially phased out on August 1.
"With 20 euros I can’t even do simple shopping at the supermarket for bread, milk and pasta. We can’t do it,” a protester said.
“If young people can’t find work, what should I do as someone who's older than 59 years old? Would you ever employ a 59-year-old who also has a disease? This is what I want to say to the government."
An estimated 1.6 million households were previously reported to be receiving the Citizen Income benefit, mainly in the south of the peninsula.
The basic income scheme was originally enacted in 2019, by then Deputy Prime Minister and former leader of the Five Star Movement (Movimento 5 Stelle) party.
The government announced the abolition of the income for spring 2024 without giving further details about a possible replacement triggering mass criticism and several protests across Italy.
(Source: AFP)
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