Fiat's factories across Italy ground to a halt today as the truck drivers' strike against rising fuel prices and working hours went into its second day and began to hit the automaker's operations. Photo: ANSA.

Fiat's factories across Italy ground to a halt today as the truck drivers' strike against rising fuel prices and working hours went into its second day and began to hit the automaker's operations, preventing the delivery of components.

"The strike of truck drivers is creating serious difficulties to the manufacturing system of the Fiat Group in Italy," said Fiat in a statement issued in Turin earlier this evening. "The protest began yesterday and blocked the regular flow of materials and components from suppliers to all Groups plants.

"The lack of supplies in many plants caused the suspension of activities," the statement continued. "As of this afternoon, more than 22,000 Group employees were temporarily laid off and their number is expected to grow in the next few days and involve all the 50,000 workers of the manufacturing areas.

"The fact that one single labour dispute has such a far-reaching effect on the production system and on the Italian economy contributes to drastically reducing the competitiveness of our country. In the general interest we hope that conduct rules will soon be defined, in order to limit the impact of disputes without jeopardizing anybody’s rights. We also hope that parties are available to start negotiations that may lead in a positive outcome," the Fiat press release concluded.

However late this evening the Italian government stepped in to order the truckers to end their strike by midnight. Citing "the critical situation affecting much of the road network which has determined the concrete possibility that distribution of essential goods required by citizens in terms of their fundamental rights be prejudiced," the Transport Ministry said was the reason behind the order, in a specially issued statement.