ROME, June 27 (Reuters) - The Italian government, unions and Meridiana airline have reached a framework agreement that should open the way for Qatar Airways to buy a stake in Meridiana, union officials said on Monday.

The agreement involves a three-year contract, a reduction of about 20 percent in wages compared with those stipulated in national collective contracts for the sector and the loss of about 400 jobs, they said.

Qatar Airways has been in negotiations to buy 49 percent of the Italian airline.

(Reporting Alberto Sisto, writing by Philip Pullella) ((philip.pullella@thomsonreuters.com;))

Keywords: ITALY AIRLINE/QATAR