JAKARTA - Italian police have arrested 12 people, including a top official from the far-right party Forza Nuova, following clashes in Rome against government efforts to require COVID-19 Green Passes for all workers.

Thousands of people took to the streets in the Italian capital on Saturday, October 9. Many chanted "freedom, freedom" as some protesters tried to break through police in riot gear deployed to guard access to Prime Minister Mario Draghi's office.

Another mob crashed into the headquarters of Italy's main trade union, CGIL.

Draghi who tested negative and is recovering from COVID introduced the card -- a digital or paper certificate confirming the holder has received at least one dose of the vaccine -- in the summer in a bid to prevent infection and encourage people to get vaccinated.

Initially the card was required to enter many cultural and recreational places and its scope was gradually expanded. Last month the government made it mandatory for all workers to have the card.

Under the Green Card system for workers, which is accepted by unions and employers, any worker who fails to present a valid health certificate from 15 October will be suspended without pay, but cannot be fired.

More than 80 percent of all Italians over the age of 12 have been fully vaccinated.


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