spending cut

Romanian Development and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea told lawmakers Tuesday the ministry cut spending by 37% on goods and services even before the Government decided to tighten expenses, adding the saved money would go to road building and rehabilitation projects.

Romania will slash social benefits by 15% starting June 1 and the measure will also be applied for people with disabilities, war veterans and widows, ex-political prisoners and deportees, as well as for pensioners whose spouses died, according to a draft emergency decree to cut social spending.

Romania’s Government will repeal the laws regulating trousseaus for newborns and financial aid for newlyweds, according to a draft emergency decree to reduce social spending.

Romania’s five union federation leaders said Sunday, after a meeting with President Traian Basescu, that recent measures meant to cut budget spending in the public sector will be applied until December 31, 2010.