Italian firms confront worker strikes and suspensions over pay disputes

Employees at Epta Costan, a commercial refrigeration company in Limana, Italy, received excess payroll deposits of about €600 (≈ $700) each month for several months. After the error was discovered, the firm asked workers to repay the overpayments. Some workers, who said they had already spent the money, responded with a four‑hour strike and linked the protest to ongoing contract renewal negotiations. Union representatives called for repayment in installments, while seeking greater flexibility for those facing financial difficulty.

In a separate incident, a factory worker in Emilia‑Romagna was suspended without pay for two days after intervening in a dispute between colleagues. The employee described the sanction as “dictatorial” and is considering legal action, citing Italian labour law that requires proportional disciplinary measures. The company has not commented publicly but is reportedly negotiating an indemnity settlement. Both cases have drawn attention from unions, which warn that such actions could undermine workplace cooperation and employee rights.