Romanian Public Sector Unionists Threaten Ample Protest In Bucharest

Unionists met Tuesday to discuss issues related to protests and negotiations that took place Monday.

Unionists are discontent that ministers are free to decide whether or not to grant merit salaries and bonuses, which leaves room for discrimination on political criteria.

"Cartel Alfa" vice-president Liviu Apostoiu said Romanian’s purchase power decreased 30% in recent months and the government decree eliminating salary bonuses in the public sector makes matter worse.

"We’ll address an open letter to those who assumed the governing of this country promising a rebound of the economy, and then we’ll organize an ample protest in Bucharest if the decree makes it on the government meeting agenda," Apostoiu said.

He added that unionists will sue authorities after the decree is adopted.

After a meeting with unionists Monday, labor minister Marian Sarbu said he required an additional 500 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2924) to the ministry’s budget to cope with unemployment. The minister said the number of jobless people in Romania could reach 800,000 this year.

About 4,000 union members picketed Monday the headquarters of the Labor Ministry and prefects’ offices across the country. Unionists are set to resume protests if negotiations with the Labor Ministry fail again.

 

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