Romanian Retirees Threaten Radical Protests This Year If Pensions Frozen

Pensioners are displeased with the government’s decision to freeze the pension point in 2010 and said they shall not settle for the authorities’ argument targeting scarce funds.

Union head Preda Nedelcu said the law setting the pension point, an indicator used by the authorities to calculate pensions, at 45% of the average gross wage had already been applied until April 2009, adding it must be further observed, or the pension point will reach only 39.9% of the average gross wage.

Nedelcu stressed that the authorities’ decision to freeze pensions at the level in October 2009, considering that food and utilities prices keep going up, will continue to affect pensioners’ purchase power and living standard.

Retirees also demand that pensions exceeding 1,500 lei (EUR1=RON4.1355) be gradually taxed and that health insurance contributions be retained only for these pensions.

They also require that financial aid for pensioners, in case of death, be increased to two average gross wages and that sufficient funds be provided to allow the compensation of medical drugs for retirees with pensions up to RON700.

Nedelcu stressed that pensioners will resort to radical measures this year if their problems are not solved.