BERGAMO– A UK lecturer at the University of Bergamo has challenged cuts to his salary.

 Jean-Paul Thompson decided to act after he found his pay reduced from December 2014 after a judgement by the appeals court in Trento. Mr Thompson argues that as the court judgement was not final the university do not have legal grounds to reduce his pay.

“I don't have any other sources of income...I really don't know how I can make it to the end of the month, my salary doesn't cover my expenses and there are simply no more corners to be cut,” said Mr Thompson.

 At present, in spite of pressure from the UK Government and the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy (ALLSI) Italian universities are refusing to grant equal status and economic conditions to foreign lecturers: a fact some believe breaches EU regulations on freedom of movement. Mr Thompson has challenged the university's decision through a formal diffida drawn up by lawyer Lorenzo Picotti.

 Mr Thompson accused the university of “mobbing” him out of a job and said he was considering leaving Italy altogether.