Trade Unions are sounding the alarm on the severe issues the Romanian workers and the labour market in Romania are facing as well as on the imbalances which are perpetuating poverty and social inequity
As early as the first days of this year, a series of workers from several professional categories took to the streets to protest the way in which the present centre-to-right government is handling the issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which seriously affected Romania's economy.
The protesters marched towards the government buildings, various ministries and county prefectures to voice their discontent and present their claims.
Cartel Alfa, one of Romania's main trade union federation on January 14th kicked off a series of protests due to last until February 28th.
In order to comply with the prevention measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the protests are to unfold gradually and besides street rallies they are to include a series of other measures, such as petitions, requests and talks with MPs from all political parties. The protesters' main claims include, decent wages and equitable pensions, high-quality public services, the resumption of collective negotiations, fair duties and taxes and the correct implementation of legislation. Here is Cartel Alfa leader Bogdan Hosu with details on the aforementioned protests.
Bogdan Hosu: ʺState employees are disgruntled with their rights and salaries that have been frozen for the year 2020 and with the fact that the pledged pay rise of 8% has been cancelled, so they can no longer reach the envisaged parameters of the unique budgetary pay law. Pensioners have also voiced dissatisfaction at the fact that their pensions are being unfairly calculated. Those in the private sector are also dissatisfied with the employers' inability to provide the right pay rises in keeping with the transfer of tax liability from the employer to the employee."
In a letter entitled "We All Have the Same Rights!" Cartel Alfa has reminded all the governing parties (PNL, USR-Plus and UDMR) that the austerity policy instated by the present government is not part of the pledges during the campaign for the elections on December 6th, and the present economic and social background as well as the health crisis, which was affecting Romania even before the elections, cannot justify such a quick shift in public politics."
Trade unionists are aware that Romania, as the whole world, is currently facing a large-scale health and economic crisis, but they believe the country is in great need of balanced public policies made up through a series of real talks with social partners so that the efforts and costs may be fairly distributed.
Without any specific example, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Dan Barna says that part of the claims could be solved in the coming period. In a Facebook post, Barna says that some claims can be tackled from the viewpoint of an economy affected by crisis and a budget deficit, which should stay around 7% of the GDP.
(bill)
Useful Links
Copyright © . All rights reserved