As Italy begins to reopen its economy, politicians and experts warn that it may not make a convincing model for other countries due to its death toll remaining the highest in Europe.
The debate over Italy's reopening has played out across familiar fault lines, pitting big business and industry against labor unions and the wealthy north against the much poorer south.
Barberi's shop is among the 95 percent of Italian businesses that employ fewer than 10 employees. Those companies, less equipped to provide protection for their employees and typically more financially exposed, are among the most vulnerable to the virus. The newspaper Corriere della Sera reported over the weekend that such businesses may be allowed to reopen before May 3.
Labor unions have argued against returning to work while complaining that big business is prioritizing the economy over workers' safety."There's a sort of contradiction between saying always 'stay at home, stay at home, stay at home,' but at the same time to tell workers to go to work without the security and conditions," said Gianna Fracassi, deputy secretary-general of the Italian General Confederation of Labor, Italy's main labor union.
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