Monti unveils liberalisation plans

Italy’s technocratic government finalised a series of measures intended to liberalise an economy heading towards deep recession on the 20 January 2012, in the face of mounting protests countrywide.

The liberalisation package is Mr Monti’s second important piece of legislation after a €30bn austerity law in December 2012 focused on higher taxes and cuts to public spending intended to balance the budget by 2013. To reform the labour market is next. Trade unions oppose moves to make redundancies easier.

ESO: Background information: Italy and Greece see their paths diverge http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-and-greece-see-their-paths-diverge/

ESO: Background information: Monti tackles Italy unions over labour reforms http://www.europeansources.info/record/monti-tackles-italy-unions-over-labour-reforms/

ESO: Background information: Italian lobbies apply brakes to Monti’s reforms http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-lobbies-apply-brakes-to-montis-reforms/

BBC News, 20.1.12: Italy approves sweeping reforms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16653863

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