Regional government is inactive: Cgil mobilizes the squares
Every year, 20 thousand young people flee from Sicily. In the last 13 years, almost 350 thousand Sicilians have emigrated. 38% of the population is at risk of poverty, and 43.5% are at risk of social exclusion. The youth unemployment rate is 31.2%, compared to the national average of 16.7%, with the female unemployment rate at 20%.
These numbers, presented by CGIL Sicilia in the document “Changing the future of Sicily,” tell stories of families living day by day, unable to even think about asking for a loan or having a second child. The majority of new hires are precarious, with 80% being so from April to June of this year.
Not only the youth exodus and the issue of depopulation are highlighted, but also the mismanagement by the regional government of healthcare, drought, lack of highway and railway infrastructure, waste management, and education. All blamed on “an inactive regional government and an anti-Southern national government.”
In light of these issues, the labor union in Palermo has organized a series of protests starting on October 16th to demand concrete action from regional and national politicians. The first stop will be to address the drought near the Nicoletti dam in Enna, followed by discussions on energy supply in Trapani, housing rights in Catania, waste management in Caltagirone, infrastructure and the Strait of Messina Bridge in Messina, healthcare in Ragusa, education emergency in Palermo, cultural issues in Agrigento, youth policies in Caltanissetta, and finally, an industry meeting in Syracuse.
The regional secretary, Alfio Mannino, criticizes the delays in decision-making processes, stating the need for concrete solutions for healthcare, drought, and infrastructure. Mannino emphasizes the social repercussions of the youth exodus, warning of unprecedented social desertification.
Furthermore, Mannino deems the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge unfeasible, proposing the allocation of funds for highway and railway upgrades instead. He stresses the inadequate governance of water resources and the urgent need for public control in partnership with private entities.
In conclusion, Mannino points out the significant disparities between urban centers and rural areas, calling for transformative action to address the root causes of Sicily’s challenges.
«Il governo regionale è inerte»: la Cgil mobilita le piazze
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