Romanian Penitentiary Unionists To Strike Over Austerity Measures Starting May 31

FSANP said in a press release, employees in the penitentiary sector protest over authorities’ decision to reduce salaries, pensions and eliminate certain social benefits in order to avoid an economic collapse. Penitentiary unionists said there has been no real dialogue between employees and authorities, adding they join protests announced by unions in the public sector.

Unionists highlighted that the austerity measures announced by the Government will hurry penitentiaries’ collapse, in the context in which the penitentiary sector is underfinanced and has about 3,000 vacant jobs that need to be filled in order that the system may function efficiently.

Penitentiary administration general manager Ioan Bala said recently that about 12,000 Romanian nationals arrested abroad are expected to be transferred in Romanian prisons starting 2012. Unionists argue that, if more layoffs are made in the sector, penitentiary employees can’t but take convicts at home.

During the strike, all activities within penitentiaries will be halted, except penitentiary security, prisoner surveillance and activities ensuring basic necessities.

Recession-hit Romania, which is relying on a EUR20 billion rescue loan from the IMF, EU and the World Bank, has pledged to take drastic measures to cut public spending and bring the budget deficit to below 6.8% of the GDP from 7.3% last year.

The measures include a 25% cut in public sector wages and a 15% cut in pensions and social welfare benefits, which prompted thousands of people to stage the biggest demonstration rally of the past 19 years outside the government building last week, hoping to pressure authorities into watering down their austerity plan.

Unions have promised to go on full-blown strike as of May 31, freezing public road and rail transport across the country, halting activity in schools, hospitals and public institutions.

The Government, which has been threatened with a no-confidence motion by opposition lawmakers, wants to adopt its austerity plan by seeking a confidence vote in Parliament.

The prime minister said Tuesday that the measures will take the form of a draft law, not an emergency ordinance, but didn’t say when the Government would seek a confidence vote to adopt it. Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely, on the other hand, told a news conference Tuesday, the Government will seek a confidence vote on Thursday.