Romanian Lifeguards Threaten To Stop Work Citing Unpaid Wages

Rapa called for the Government to unlock funds from its reserves.

Lifeguards’ Association members were on duty in Mamaia and Constanta during the Easter and May Day holidays and every weekend in the last month.

Adrian Rapa pointed out that lifeguards can no longer receive aid from the Constanta City Hall like in previous years and turn to the Government for the 900,000 lei (EUR1=RON4.1928) needed to pay the around 120 lifeguards in Mamaia and Constanta. Rapa added the state of affairs in the other Black Sea resorts is similar.

Tourism minister Elena Udrea said on May 16 that the source of the funds for lifeguards had not yet been decided; the options are the Ministry of the Interior and the Reserve Fund.

The lifeguards faced financial difficulties last year as well. In July 2008, they went on a go-slow and threatened to start a general strike because of unpaid salaries, but the situation was resolved before they left the beach.