Gas station operators in Italy go on strike
On Wednesday, trade unions Faib, Fegica and Figisc-Anisa called for a two-day strike to protest at "being hit with a wave of mud over high fuel prices."
The trade unions say a decree recently passed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet, that the government says is aimed at boosting the transparency of fuel prices, has badly penalized gas-station operators.
Under the decree, petrol stations are obliged to display the national average price for petrol and diesel alongside the price at which they sell fuel to customers in a bid to stop speculative hikes.
Prices have risen sharply in January since a cut on fuel excise duties expired. The cut was introduced about a year ago by the previous government of Mario Draghi in an effort to reduce fuel prices.
ME
