Romanian Voluntary Soldiers, Sergeants Sue Defense Ministry

The Cluj Court set the first hearing for November 9, 2009.

The plaintiffs show that, according to the law, the working contracts of voluntary soldiers are terminated when they turn 40, for reasons beyond their control, and they must be granted severance pay.

The voluntary soldiers who received notice their contracts will terminate argue they were not granted severance wages or other rights regarding their unemployment period.

The ten soldiers asked the court their military service be recognized as work in difficult conditions and thus be paid health insurance policies for difficult work conditions.

The voluntary soldiers also complain that, even though they worked in similar conditions to the other soldiers, they do not benefit from similar pensions.

Other about 60 voluntary soldiers and sergeants throughout the country will sue the Ministry of Defense on similar grounds.

Of the estimated 75,000 soldiers in Romania’s Army, 20,000 are voluntary soldiers and sergeants.