A number of protests have been staged in Bucharest in recent days
Ever since the first days of the year, a number of professional and social categories in Romania took to the streets to voice their discontent with the way the center-right coalition Government has been managing some of the hot topics on the public agenda. Protesters are asking for decent wages, fair pensions, quality public services, fair taxes and the rightful application of the legislation. Amidst heated political debates regarding the 2021 state budget law, trade unions with the Sanitas Federation on Monday staged a rally in front of the Finance Ministry building. They are disgruntled with the low budget allocated to healthcare this year, which is unfair not just due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, but it is also an immoral act against Romanian citizens. Trade unions say healthcare should get 9% of the GDP, as all Romanians need a public health system that can save them from SARS-CoV-2, treat their chronic illnesses and ensure emergency health eservices. One of the protesters explained what prompted him to come to Bucharest all the way from Cluj.
"We are unhappy with the inequities stipulated in the Government's budget by slashing bonuses or freezing salaries for various categories of workers. At the start of its mandate, the Government promised they wouldn't touch the salaries of health workers or their bonuses".
Equally discontented are workers in the hospitality sector. Employers in this field have called on the Government to pay the compensations they were promised last year, considering this sector reported a 70% drop in its activity. They also ask the Government not to scrap holiday vouchers for public sector employees. Dragos Anastasiu, the coordinator of the Coalition for Romania's Development:
"The industry is suffering right now, and we need the support of the number one stakeholder in every company, namely the Romanian state. We find it unacceptable to make firm promises, including by introducing legislation, without keeping them".
Finally, trade unionists with the Cartel Alfa National Confederation have joined the chorus of protests against the Government's current economic and social policies. The unionists have been staging protests since January 14. Cartel Alfa representatives say the burden of austerity measures will weigh heavy on workers and pensioners, with considerable effects on vulnerable population categories with lower incomes. (V. Palcu)
Useful Links
Copyright © . All rights reserved