Italy's biggest trade unions strike over pensions

Factories and offices across Italy will close on Friday due to strike action by the country's three biggest trade unions.

Workers are protesting against pension reforms introduced by the government at the end of last year.

Italy's largest union the CGIL is also opposed to plans to make it easier to hire and fire workers.

Italy's borrowing costs have risen sharply this week- a sign international investors distrust Italy's commitment to push through tough measures.

Luca Bernardinetti, Professor at the European School of Economics told the BBC, "Unions have not decided a common line on labour reform".