Italian oil workers seek deal for Russian-owned refinery

Thousands of workers at a Russian-owned oil refinery in Sicily protested Friday against the threat of closure as Europe imposes a full embargo on Russian oil starting next month.

Workers demanded action from Italy’s new economic development minister, Alfonso Urso, who was meeting in Rome with union leaders and others to find a solution for the refinery that employs 3,500 people directly and indirectly supports another 6,500 jobs.

“Russian ships will stop on December 5, given the embargo that the previous government decided,” union spokesman Luciano Spataro said in Sicily. “We hope that the new government will find a solution to avoid this catastrophe.”