Local public transport in Italy will be severely affected by a 24-hour strike that began at 5am on Friday across Italy, including bus, tram and metro services.

Only 30% of staff are working during peak hours, which are usually exempt from such strikes, for the first time since 2005.

In general, a range of services will be guaranteed at different times in cities across Italy: in Milan, metro services and some tram and bus services will be available until 8:45 and between 15:00 and 18:00 ; metro lines A and B will be guaranteed in Rome and some bus and tram services until 8:30 and between 17:00 and 20:00; in Naples, limited bus services will be available between 6:30 and 9:30 and between 17:00 and 20:00.

Railway staff of Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) will also be on strike.

The protest was called by Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, Uiltrasporti, Faisa Cisal and Ugl Fna for the failure to renew the sector's collective labor contract, the lack of resources dedicated to it and to call for better health and safety.

Unions are scheduled to hold a demonstration outside the transport ministry in Rome on Friday.

An eight-hour strike by rail workers was held across Italy on Tuesday after a ticket inspector working on a regional train was stabbed near the Liguria station of Rivarolo./ANSA