ROME, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Italian government has approved a 25-billion-euro (almost 28 billion U.S. dollars) decree to shore up the national health care system as well as workers, businesses and families grappling with hardship due to the coronavirus epidemic, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Monday.
Measures include a 600-euro bonus for the month of March for all workers, including seasonal workers and the self-employed; baby-sitting vouchers and extensions of family leave; a suspension of business and VAT taxes, pension contributions and mortgage payments, and a stop to all layoffs that occurred after Feb. 23 -- two days after the coronavirus epidemic first broke out in Italy.
Speaking during a nationally televised joint press conference with Economy and Finance Minister Roberto Gualtieri and Labor Minister Nunzia Catalfo, Conte said that "Italy is on the frontlines" and that "we want Europe to follow us down this path."
"This is a powerful measure," said the Italian prime minister. "We never considered fighting a flood with rags and buckets. We are trying to build a dam to protect businesses, families and workers."
Conte and Gualtieri first announced the 25-billion-euro spending package, which they dubbed the "Cure Italy Decree", on March 11. It has now become law, and the money can be spent. Enditem
