Traffic in the Italian capital came to a stand-still on 25 October as an estimated 30,000 members of the General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) and allied groups marched from Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza San Giovanni. The four-hour procession blocked Via Cavour, Viale Einaudi and surrounding streets, forcing Rome’s mobility agency to reroute more than 30 bus and tram lines and close several surface-level metro entrances. Taxi availability fell sharply, leaving tourists and business travellers scrambling for alternatives.
The rally—labelled “Democrazia al Lavoro” (Democracy at Work)—was called to protest the government’s draft 2026 Budget, which union leader Maurizio Landini denounced as a “trick” that ignores wage stagnation and pension reform. From the stage in Piazza San Giovanni, Landini warned that if the bill is not radically amended the union will call a fourth nationwide general strike before year-end, a move that would again paralyse transport and public services.
For employers managing assignee travel to Italy, the demonstration is a reminder that political risk can translate into immediate mobility disruption. Companies running expat payrolls should monitor CGIL’s strike calendar and build contingency plans for ground transport in Rome, Milan and other major hubs.
The protest also underscores Italy’s tight labour market: with inflation still above 3 percent and a chronic shortage of skilled workers, unions see leverage in disruptive action. If a full general strike is confirmed, expect reduced staffing at immigration offices, ports and airports in the affected window—potentially delaying residence-permit processing and cargo flows.
Local authorities praised the largely peaceful nature of the march, but police deployed water cannon on Via Merulana when a small group attempted to deviate from the approved route. No serious injuries were reported, yet hoteliers near Termini station said cancellations spiked as travellers re-routed to avoid the gridlock. The episode highlights how domestic social policy debates can quickly spill over into international business-travel planning.
The rally—labelled “Democrazia al Lavoro” (Democracy at Work)—was called to protest the government’s draft 2026 Budget, which union leader Maurizio Landini denounced as a “trick” that ignores wage stagnation and pension reform. From the stage in Piazza San Giovanni, Landini warned that if the bill is not radically amended the union will call a fourth nationwide general strike before year-end, a move that would again paralyse transport and public services.
For employers managing assignee travel to Italy, the demonstration is a reminder that political risk can translate into immediate mobility disruption. Companies running expat payrolls should monitor CGIL’s strike calendar and build contingency plans for ground transport in Rome, Milan and other major hubs.
The protest also underscores Italy’s tight labour market: with inflation still above 3 percent and a chronic shortage of skilled workers, unions see leverage in disruptive action. If a full general strike is confirmed, expect reduced staffing at immigration offices, ports and airports in the affected window—potentially delaying residence-permit processing and cargo flows.
Local authorities praised the largely peaceful nature of the march, but police deployed water cannon on Via Merulana when a small group attempted to deviate from the approved route. No serious injuries were reported, yet hoteliers near Termini station said cancellations spiked as travellers re-routed to avoid the gridlock. The episode highlights how domestic social policy debates can quickly spill over into international business-travel planning.
