Italy's military and police personnel are marching in Rome, demanding better pay, pensions, and workplace protections. This is a significant development, as it highlights the growing discontent among the country's security forces. The protest is a result of the government's renewed collective agreement, which fell short of addressing the demands of the unions representing these personnel.
The unions, including Sinafi, the New Carabinieri Union (NSC), Usami Aeronautica, Itamil, and Silmm, argue that the agreement does not adequately address pay and retirement concerns. They organized the protest under the slogan "Every day we serve Italy. Today we demand respect," emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and respect for their service.
The demands outlined by the unions are comprehensive and address critical issues. They call for the reform of the supplementary pension system, an end to plans to raise the retirement age to 65, stronger legal protections for security personnel, pay increases that keep pace with the rising cost of living, and greater investment in recruitment, training, and modernization of the profession.
The protest concluded with a conference on the future of Italy's security, defense, and emergency services. The NSC secretary-general, Massimiliano Zetti, emphasized the importance of fair compensation for the personnel, stating that "inside those uniforms working for the state, under the state’s emblem, there are not silhouettes, there are families, there are people, women and men who work. It is only right that they should be paid fairly. Security has a cost."
This protest is not an isolated incident. Law enforcement protests have taken place in several EU countries in recent years, indicating a broader trend of dissatisfaction among security forces. In Italy, police unions have organized demonstrations to demand more funding for pay rises, salary increases in line with inflation, and additional recruitment to tackle staff shortages.
In France, police unions staged strikes and pickets in early 2024, calling for bonuses and guarantees on shifts and leave ahead of the Paris Olympics, which required a major security operation. In Spain, the Jusapol union repeatedly protested in 2024, demanding pay parity for National Police and Guardia Civil officers with regional police forces. Belgian police unions have also organized protests, including "white strikes" and roadblocks, with some demonstrations disrupting access to Brussels Airport.
These protests highlight the growing demand for better working conditions and fair compensation for law enforcement and security personnel across Europe. The governments and authorities in these countries will need to address these concerns to ensure the well-being of their security forces and maintain public order.
