News (2008/09/16)

Thursday 'bread strike' in Italy

In Italy, protests against the runaway inflation that has hit the country for months are louder every day. Especially prices for bread and pasta are at record highs.

Pasta 25% more expensive

Yesterday, national statistics bureau ISTAT issued its inflation report for August. It showed that pasta was up 25.6% over August 2007. Bread showed a 12.2% hike.

Boycott

Consumer associations have called a bread boycott for Thursday to protest against the unjustified prices for bread while wheat price continue to fall.
 

Speculation

"Action must be taken against those who have driven up prices through unjustified speculation, as has been the case with bread and pasta',' Adiconsum said.

Bankruptcy

According to consumer association Codacons, Italian families at the end of the year will pay an extra € 1,700. "Thousands of families risk bankruptcy,'' the group added.
 

Government

Consumer associations hope the boycott will urge the Italian government to focus its attention on the high cost of living.