Italian postal office closures force elderly to wait in heat

The trade unions SLC CGIL Basilicata and UIL FPC Basilicata voiced strong concern after the post office in Picerno was temporarily closed for maintenance and replaced by a mobile camper unit. The makeshift service lacks protected waiting areas, forcing many citizens – especially seniors and vulnerable people – to stand in the sun under high summer temperatures, raising health‑risk alarms.

In the nearby town of Lizzano, the CGIL of Taranto reported similar problems, noting that the lack of dialogue with Poste Italiane and the municipal authorities leaves users exposed to heat and workers forced to travel long distances to reach the temporary site. Giovanni D’Arcangelo of the CGIL said, "Le elevate temperature di questi giorni espongono le persone in attesa a rischi concreti," and the union installed a gazebo to provide shade while urging rapid measures to protect public health.