Fiat has decided to temporarily close six of its Italian factories.

The plants in Rome, Turin, Naples and Sicily will be shut down for a fornight while Fiat decides how to deal with a collapse in orders suffered due to the ending of the Italian car scappage scheme.

About 30,000 Fiat workers will be affected.

There have been demonstrations at Fiat factories since the announcement was made and unions have requested a meeting with Fiat's management and the government on the future of the car maker.

The long-term outlook for Fiat's Termini Imerese factory in Sicily has recently been put into doubt, with Fiat saying the plant will be closed for good in a year’s time in order for relocation to take place.