Fiat has agreed to delay laying off 8,000 workers pending new crisis talks with the Italian Government and the unions. The meetings will culminate in a meeting with PM Silvio Berlusconi on December 5 and will centre on government financial help with temporary restructuring measures.

Fiat wants to put 5550 workers on a government- and company-funded temporary layoff scheme from next week as part of its overall restructuring plan to cut the carmaker's worsening losses. Another 2060 workers would join the scheme in June. The temporary layoff scheme requires a green light from Government.