Thousands of Italians have marched through Rome to protest against government plans to cut public sector workers' pay.
The cuts are part of austerity measures intended to reduce government spending by 24 billion euros for the years 2011-2012, the BBC reports.
The protesters say the plans are unfair, though the government says they are necessary.
The measures will affect millions of government and other workers.
Public sector pensions and local government spending are also expected to be hit. A clampdown on tax avoidance is also planned.
Similar reductions in spending measures have already been announced by Greece, Spain and Portugal.
