Problems In Romanian Judiciary, Public Administration Can Only Be Fixed By Spending Cuts – President

“The problems in the judicial system  can be solved the same way as all Romania’s economic problems, by cutting expenses,” Basescu said Friday, during a visit to truck maker Roman SA Brasov, in central Romania.

Regarding the problems in public administration, Basescu said there are two ways of reducing expenses: one would be scrapping jobs, the other would be reducing work days to 20 from 30 per month. However, the president said he does not agree with the latter option, which he dismissed as wrong.

“I agree with a selection of the employees based on proficiency criteria, and not reduce the salaries of those that are good at what they do. It is time we selected professional employees,” Basescu said.

On August 11, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea said public sector employees will take ten days of unpaid vacation between September and November, will shorten working hours to six from eight per day or simply work ten days less to cut budget spending by 0.3% of GDP.

Ministry sources on Thursday said the normative act that includes the provision forcing public sector employees to take ten days of unpaid vacation will be introduced in the law pack for which the Government will take responsibility in Parliament on September 2.

Prime Minister Emil Boc urged Justice Ministry officials to analyze the legal framework meant to promote this act and bring it in line with the country’s Labor Code and the valid legislation, the quoted sources said.