The Italian government on Wednesday extented unemployment benefits and liberalized job dismissals as part of controversial labor reforms that pushed trade unions to hold a general strike earlier this month, dpa reported. Labor protection laws used to give workers on full-time contracts the right to sue their employer in case of dismissal, and get their job back through a court order. The system was criticized for being too burdensome for firms. "The logic is to give more protection to workers in need and more freedom to entrepreneurs who want to invest. These two things must go hand in hand," Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said after a cabinet meeting. With the reform adopted Wednesday, workers will still be able to appeal to the courts against their dismissal, but most of them will get money, rather than their job back, if judges rule in theirfavour.
