Romanian Unionists Resume Daily Protests At Presidential Palace, Govt HQ

Meanwhile, about 200 protesters picketed the Government’s headquarters.

Spending cut announcements have sparked waves of social unrest and mounting tension among the country’s 1.4 million state employees, over 5 million retirees and roughly the bulk of the population, as the Government is slashing senior discounts for public transport, child-rearing benefits, taxing capital gains, bank deposit interest and hiking property taxes.

Unions have taken to the streets and an ample rally of 60,000 people is expected Wednesday in Bucharest. Moreover, teachers and public administration workers are set to go on full-blown strike as of May 31, and they might be joined by healthcare workers

Romania is set to slash public sector wages by 25% and pensions and social benefits by 15% and has also pledged to fire 70,000 state employees this year, to tighten its ballooning budget deficit and meet the requirements of a EUR20 billion rescue loan led by the International Monetary Fund.

Romania’s Economic and Social Council, a body consisting of union and employers’ representatives and government officials, is expected to approve Monday the most recent letter of intent of the Romanian authorities under the agreement with the IMF, before the Government and Parliament give it green light.