Protests in Italy over job reforms

Protesters in Italy throw flares at police, angry over reforms their government is planning.

Union members and students across the country don't want the change in job protection rules that could make it easier for companies to hire and fire people.

They say it will undermine worker rights.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) PROTESTER, ROBERTO CAMPAELLA, SAYING:

"This reform cannot be passed on until they really listen to the students and the workers of this country that are protesting today and will continue to do so. The answers given by the government so far have been insufficient and wrong. They are continuing to follow previous governments and go against this generation, who are paying the price for the crisis."

The government is struggling to jumpstart Italy's economy which is now back in recession.

It says the proposal should encourage more foreign employers and stop it lagging behind the rest of Europe.