Romanian Pensioners Protest Income Freeze

Union leader Dumitru Cojanu said pensioners are upset their pensions won't be indexed with inflation and half the increase of the gross average wage next year, as the law requires.

He said President Traian Basescu made it look like a favor that pensions won't be lowered or taxed further next year, but people are in fact deprived of their legal rights.

Pensioners call for higher pensions and the elimination of co-payment in the public healthcare system and of a 5.5% contribution to social health insurance.

The Government's draft of the 2012 state budget will very likely not stipulate any pension or public sector wage raises, minister Elena Udrea said on October 26. She added hikes might be possible in the second half of the year if budget revenue allows for them.

Pensioners have threatened to sue the Government if it doesn't raise pensions in 2012, in compliance with current legislation.

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