
AI-generated summary
The INPS monitors the progress of income support benefits for unemployed workers on a monthly basis.
In August the INPS received 126,363 applications from Naspi and Discoll, with a growth of 7.6% compared to the same month of 2025. The applications from Naspi (121,487) grew by 7.4% and those from Discoll (4,876) by 13.6%. This can be read in the INPS Observatory on layoffs, according to which in the first eight months of 2026 the total unemployment applications received were 1,399,591, with a growth of 4.8% on the same period of 2025.

The USB union has called a general strike in over 50 Italian cities to protest against the high cost of living and military spending. There are tensions and charges from the police in Turin and the blockade of the ring road in Bologna.

General strike called by the USB throughout Italy against the high cost of living and rearmament policies. Thousands of protesters in the streets, with tensions and clashes reported in Mestre, Turin and road blocks in Milan.

Protesters from grassroots unions forced a police cordon in Bologna, occupying the ring road in via Stalingrado during a protest against the high cost of living. Throwing of eggs and bottles reported before accessing the road.

Over 15 thousand people demonstrated in Cagliari against the high cost of living and military spending. Demonstrations also in Nuoro and Sassari with slogans against the Meloni government and requests for investments in healthcare rather than armaments.

Two workers climbed onto a crane on a construction site in Porto San Giorgio to protest against the non-payment of wages. Carabinieri and firefighters intervened on site; the workers asked to speak with the mayor Valerio Vesprini.

In September 2026, the hourly contractual wage index remains unchanged on a monthly basis and grows by 2.5% on an annual basis. Istat highlights that growth remains lower than inflation for the second consecutive quarter.