November 14, 2023 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 14.11.2023, 19:46
SALARIES – The Romanian Chamber of Deputies passed on Tuesday, the legislative project that allows for the increase in the salaries of the National Health Insurance Company’s employees. They will all receive bigger salaries, but the exact amount depends on their education level, professional degree and attributions. The Chamber of Deputies is the decision-making body in this case. After the adoption of the project, the employees of the National Health Insurance Company announced that they are resuming activity and abandoning protest actions launched at the beginning of the month. They were dissatisfied with the salary level, which had not been increased for several years, and with the high level of work and responsibility.
TOUR – Kenya is one of Romanias traditional partners in East Africa, said the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis after talks with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi. He said his trip to Kenya takes places in a “very special context”, after Romania adopted its first national strategy for Africa, and forms part of efforts to boost Romanias ties with African countries. “Romania and Kenya have a long-standing relationship and which is characterized by mutual respect”, Iohannis also said, adding that Kenya is “an example of political stability and democratic transition in East Africa”. The two leaders discussed ways to further develop cooperation in areas such as environment protection, fighting climate change, education, digitalisation and green energy. Kenya was the first stop of the Romanian presidents tour of four African states, to be followed by Tanzania, Cape Verde and Senegal.
PENSIONS – The new pensions bill is in the Senate after being approved by the specialist committees on Tuesday. A number of amendments submitted by the power passed, while those of the opposition were rejected. The bill is being fast-tracked through Parliament because the coalition government formed by the Social Democrats and the Liberals wants it passed by 20th November so that it may come into force on 1st January 2024. The bill will follow the same procedure in the Chamber of Deputies, the decision making body in this case. The Save Romania Union in opposition said the situation is unprecedented and unacceptable in the case of such an important piece of legislation. The bill provides for two hikes in pensions, in January and September. The Social Democrat prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said the average pension in October was almost 400 euros.
EVACUATION – 86 Romanian citizens and their families who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip arrived in Romania on Tuesday on a special flight by the TAROM national airlines, said the foreign ministry. The group entered Egyptian territory through the Rafah crossing on Saturday and were then taken over by the Romanian embassy in Egypt. So far, 220 Romanian nationals and family members have been evacuated from Gaza and efforts are ongoing to evacuate all the Romanian citizens who have requested repatriation.
FORECAST — The National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis has revised downwards to 2% Romania’s economic growth forecast for this year, from the initial 2.8%. The revision takes place in the context of decreases in industry and agriculture. Economic growth, however, will be supported by constructions and services. The unemployment rate might go down to 4,4% in 2023, while average gross salaries could go up 13%, which translates into a 3% increase in the purchasing power. This year’s budget is built on a 2,8% economic growth rate. (EE)
