Fornero no-confidence motions defeated Only 88 votes against contested welfare minister

(ANSA) - Rome, July 4 - The House on Wednesday confirmed confidence in Welfare Minister Elsa Fornero, rejecting motions from two opposition parties.The motions from the centre-left Italy of Values party and the right-wing Northern League gained only 88 votes in favour, with 435 voting against and 18 abstentions.The minister, who courted unpopularity with a controversial labour-market reform, also came under fire over a numbers discrepancy regarding people dubbed the 'exiled ones' who have been left without a job or pension due to austerity-linked downsizing measures.A report published by the Italian pension agency INPS said that the number was almost 400,000, compared to the government's count of 65,000 who would be covered by plans to remedy the situation.Fornero said the agency was "irresponsible" for publishing the numbers and that the document was "partial, not explained and made to damage the government." The minister even suggested the INPS top brass should be fired.Italy's trade unions threatening a strike, arguing "hundreds of thousands" fell under the 'exiled' category.They were not placated when Fornero subsequently announced that a further 55,000 would be helped in one way or another.Susanna Camusso, leader of the leftwing union CGIL said on Tuesday that "a fair way out was needed for all".When the motions were filed, Italy of Values leader and former Clean Hands magistrate Antonio Di Pietro said it is "despicable for a minister to provide such different numbers compared to those from INPS".Fornero sparked fresh ire by saying that having a job was not "a right".She was forced to clarify she had meant there was a right to work under the Italian Constitution but not one to have a particular job.