October 24, 2007 --After trying to live on his workers' wages for one month, a small pasta producer from Campofilone (Ascoli Piceno) decided to give his workers a raise.

Mr. Enzo Rossi and his wife allocated themselves each 1,000 Euros a month. After deducting fixed expenses for mortgage, electricity, etc, they ran out of money on the 20th of the month. At that point, "I felt like I was 20 meters underwater, and the oxygen had run out", Rossi said. He decided to increase the wages for his 18 workers by 200 Euro per month.

Rossi, whose story is making national headlines, appeared in the popular "Porta a Porta" television show yesterday, where he explained that his wealth now lies in "the warm hands of my workers," having been directed by a soul "free from sorrows and worries."

Campofilone is renowned for its fresh pasta, especially its "maccheroncini."