Romanian Education Unions Start Major Protest In Bucharest

The protest was organized by the Federation of Free Unions in Education (FSLI), the Federation of Unions in Education "Spiru Haret" and the National union Federation "Alma Mater." Protesters demand the resignation of the Government, stating that this is a paradoxical situation in Romania. Teachers are joined by students in this protest.

 

"The Government brought us to the streets again. This is an unusual moment, a unique and paradoxical situation. Unique because we have a law passed unanimously in Parliament, which for the first time grants salary increases measuring up to the needs of teachers in Romania, and paradoxical because the Government admits it has money in the budget for salary hikes but refuses to grant these increases. It is equally paradoxical because the whole of society, the entire political class, all acknowledge the fact that teachers in Romania get miserable pay," said the president of FSLI, Aurel Cornea.

 

The protesters started out around 12.30 local time in a march towards the Government headquarters.

 

The National Education Federation (FEN) announced it will not take part in the rally held Wednesday, considering the potential risks of unwanted effects.

 

"The legitimate protests of employees in education could only have a real effect after a verdict and motivation from the Constitutional Court,” the union said.

 

The Romanian Government decided to inform the Constitutional Court on a possible conflict between the Government and Parliament sparked by the adoption of the law stipulating a 50% hike in teachers’ wages, Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu said Saturday.

 

Tariceanu said he sent a document to president Traian Basescu, and will have discussions on Monday with central bank governor Mugur Isarescu on the effects of the Parliament’s decision to hike teachers’ wages.

 

Tariceanu had discussed on Saturday the implications of the decision and unionists’ demands on the state budget with the ministers concerned by the matter.

 

He met with finance minister Varujan Vosganian, interior minister Cristian David, labor minister Mariana Campeanu, education minister Cristian Adomnitei, health minister Eugen Nicolaescu, as well as with state secretaries.

 

According to Vosganian’s calculations, a 50% hike of all state employees’ wages would trigger a budget deficit of 7% of gross domestic product next year or the annulment of all investments planned for 2009.