Around 90% of oil and petrochemical giant Eni's Italian workers followed a union call to strike call on July 29. The industrial action was to protest the company's plans to close or convert some of its unprofitable refineries.

Italy's three major trade unions had called on the 30,000 Italian staff to stop work for a day, shutting down refineries, petrochemical and other activities, as well as commercial, administrative and other offices.

"This protest is not just about Eni and the refineries but Italy's entire industrial future," union leader Luigi Angeletti said.

Protesters in front of Rome's chamber of deputies held up banners with slogans attacking prime minister Matteo Renzi and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, accusing the two of taking "food straight out of our mouths."

Descalzi, who took over at the head of Italy's biggest public company this year, has hinted at plans to close several loss-making refinery and petchems sites  to concentrate on more profitable oil and gas exploration.