The injunction signed and submitted by Deputy PM and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini will force trade unions to limit the strike to a maximum of eight hours for workers in the healthcare and education sectors.
The length of staff walkouts in the transport sector was further limited to a maximum of four hours instead of the planned 24 hours.
According to the latest reports, local public transport workers were expected to strike from 9am to 1pm, whereas air transport staff were expected to strike from 10am to 2pm.
Staff at national and regional rail operators had already been excluded from the protest earlier this week.
Salvini said his decision to limit the strike was intended to “spare Italians from yet another chaotic Friday” following a spate of protests that have caused major delays and cancellations for rail, air and local public transport passengers in recent months.
The injunction sought to ensure “the right to work for the vast majority of Italians” while also respecting the right to strike, Salvini added.
The leader of Italy’s left-wing Democratic Party (PD) Elly Schlein branded the move as a “serious violation” of fundamental labour rights, accusing the government of refusing to engage with workers and dismissing their attempts to voice their concerns.
Union leaders also condemned the injunction, saying they were “exploring all the necessary avenues” to protect workers, including the option to “challenge” the order in court.
The general strike was called by some of Italy’s major trade unions, including CUB, CGIL, UIL and COBAS, in mid-October in protest against planned cuts to spending on social security, citizen services and public transport included in the government's 2025 budget plan.
The walkout was confirmed earlier this month after the government showed “no willingness to address our demands,” CGIL leader Maurizio Landini said.
Friday’s general strike was expected to be one of the most disruptive protests of the year in Italy, with around 50,000 workers planning to take part in it, according to Italian media reports published earlier this week.
The recent government injunction however was expected to significantly reduce the strike’s overall impact on daily life in Italy on Friday.
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