Hundreds of people have gathered at Italian ports protesting the requirement for all workers to show Covid-19 health passes, which has now come into force. Failure to comply could result in suspension from the workplace and fines.<\/p>\n
On Friday, around 300 protesters blockaded an entrance to the port of Genoa in Northwest Italy in opposition to the so-called \u2018green passes\u2019, which require both private and public workers to prove that they are either vaccinated, have tested negative for Covid, or have recently recovered from the virus.<\/p>\n
If workers cannot produce a green pass within a grace period of five days, they will be suspended without pay and could face a fine of up to \u20ac1,500 ($1,730) should they dare to work on regardless.<\/p>\n
Footage uploaded to Twitter showed a large gathering of people in high-visibility jackets in protest against the measure and signs saying \u201cNo green pass.\u201d<\/em> Meanwhile, in Trieste in the northeast, some labor groups threatened to block operations indefinitely in defiance against the mandate, with crowds of hundreds demonstrating at the city\u2019s major port.<\/p>\n In Italia si sta scrivendo la storia (15\/10\/21). Lavoratori del porto e cittadini bloccano l’ingresso del porto di Trieste ad oltranza! Chiedono revoca dell’obbligo del passaporto sanitario per lavorare. Proteste in corso anche al porto di Genova e in tutte le citt\u00e0 d’Italia. pic.twitter.com\/KdYeP9f3uL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RadioGenova (@RadioGenova) October 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Videos on Twitter showed swathes of people congregating and blockading the gateway of Trieste\u2019s port. On the eve of the pass taking effect, a crowd of people gathered in front of a worker who called for them to \u201cstrike to the bitter end\u2026 until the health passport requirement is eliminated.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Trieste 14 ottobre 2021 ore 19. Lavoratori del porto: “Sciopero ad oltranza da questa sera a mezzanotte. Continuer\u00e0 fino a quando non sar\u00e0 eliminato l’obbligo del passaporto sanitario per lavorare!” Trieste chiama, Genova risponde: “Porto di Genova in sciopero da domani mattina!” pic.twitter.com\/WuGKbRpC8s<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RadioGenova (@RadioGenova) October 14, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi\u2019s government approved the mandate<\/a> \u2013 one of the world\u2019s strictest anti-Covid measures \u2013 in mid-September. Rome first made the health certificate necessary to visit public venues, such as restaurants and bars. In September it became mandatory for teachers and other public sector workers to come forward and get jabbed. The ever-tightening pass has spurred several protests in Italy.<\/p>\n
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