THOUSANDS of workers took part in a general strike across Italy today.

The action, which hit domestic and international flights, schools, hospitals and local transport, was taken in protest against a decline in spending power, low pay and government policies workers say have weakened public services.

Italian trade unions called the eight-hour strike and mobilised marches in cities across the country to target Premier Giorgia Meloni’s latest budget that they warn penalises schools, healthcare and other services.