ITALY-BUSINESS-SHOE COBBLER

Shoe cobbler Vincenzo Galati repairs a boot in his shop in downtown Rome, on October 27, 2014. Galati had a high volume of work when he opened his workshop in the sixties although in the same area there where at least ten other shoe repair shops, but nowadays even due to the economic crisis people tend to buy cheaper shoes rather than repair the old ones. Along with Germany and it's Mittelstand model, the biggest part of Italy's economy is made up of small and medium-sized family firms. Yet a lack of financing and Italy's rigid labor laws have been seen by many as factors stopping SMEs from growing and coming to Italy's economic aid. There are now hopes that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's proposed changes to the country's rigid labor market making it easier to hire and fire people -- can help companies survive amid the downturn. Renzi's "Jobs Act" is designed to boost employment and investment in Italy's businesses and ultimately, to rescue Italy's economy. AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)