Military and Security Services Protest in Rome
Approximately 6,000 members of Italy’s military and security forces took to the streets of Rome on Saturday to call for higher salaries, improved pensions, and enhanced workplace protections.
This demonstration brought together personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza, marking the first collective protest organized by the leading defense and security unions in the country.
The rally occurred shortly after the government renewed collective agreements affecting around 430,000 military and security staff. This agreement includes a monthly salary boost totaling 188 euros, a one-time payment of 2,448 euros, and an indication that pension reform discussions will commence.
However, several trade unions—including Sinafi, the New Carabinieri Union (NSC), Usami Airlines, Itamiru, and Silum—chose not to endorse the agreement, claiming it fell short of properly addressing their demands regarding wages and severance. They initiated Saturday’s protest to push for more substantial action from the government.
Participants marched through Rome carrying banners with the message, “We serve Italy every day. Today we demand respect.”
A statement released prior to the rally expressed four key demands: reforms to the supplementary pension system, the cancellation of plans to raise the retirement age to 65, enhanced legal protections for security personnel, and salary increases to keep pace with the rising cost of living, along with more investments in recruitment and training.
The protests culminated in a meeting focused on the future of Italy’s security, defense, and emergency services. This gathering included representatives from various trade unions, including the NSC, who did not sign the new wage agreement.
“The reason why we did not sign this agreement and rejected it is simple: the financial compensation promised is not being delivered,” stated Massimiliano Zetti, NSC’s director general.
“There are real people in uniform serving our country—men and women with families. They deserve fair compensation. Safety has a price.”
Law Enforcement Protests Across Europe
While not common, protests by military and law enforcement personnel have emerged in several EU nations over the last few years.
In Italy, police unions organized protests in 2023 to advocate for increased funding related to pay hikes, inflation-adjusted salaries, and additional recruitment to tackle staffing shortages.
Meanwhile, in France, police unions held strikes and pickets in early 2024, calling for bonuses, guaranteed shifts, and vacation time in anticipation of a major security operation for the Paris Olympics.
In Spain, the Jusapol union conducted a series of demonstrations in 2024, demanding equal salaries for national police and Guardia Civil officers compared to regional forces like the Mossos d’Esquadra. Some unions also opposed the Catalan amnesty law enacted by the government at the end of 2023.
Additionally, Belgian police unions staged protests in 2022 and 2023, including “white strikes,” road blockades, and temporarily refusing to issue fines for minor infractions. Some protests even blocked access to Brussels Airport.
