Truckers and fishing sector announce strikes across Italy due to rising fuel costs

Truck owners and drivers in Sicily and Calabria have announced a multi-day strike starting October 16, 2026, and lasting until the following Thursday. The protest is a response to rising diesel prices and increased ferry ticket costs between Sicily and mainland Italy, which strikers claim have made their operations financially unsustainable. Similar protests involving merchants, farmers, and haulers are also underway in the Apulia region.

The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to the supply chain, particularly for supermarkets, and may lead to widespread delays in the delivery of various goods across the country. Additionally, a nationwide strike in the fishing sector has been scheduled for October 22, 2026.

Observers suggest that unless the Meloni government provides effective solutions to address these economic grievances, the unrest is likely to spread to other regions of Italy. The situation remains fluid as authorities monitor the potential for further escalations in labor action.