Reuters cited Mr Corrado Clini Italian environment minister as saying that the Italian government will pass legislation to force a clean up of the ILVA steel plant
Mr ni told Canale 5 television, a day before a meeting between Prime Minister Mario Monti, unions and company management to resolve the standoff that "We trying to implement what we have already decided,"
He said he expected the cabinet to approve a decree putting into law a series of previously agreed clean up measures.
Mr Clini had said earlier that he thought a solution would be reached in time for a meeting with company management on Thursday.
He added "The two year, EUR 3 billion clean up program agreed last month to secure environmental clearance for the plant should be completed without interference. Cleaning up the site, laying down how the clean-up has to be carried out and how the site has to be managed to ensure that environmental and health protection standards are met are up to the government. It's not up to magistrates."
