As early as the first days of this year, a series of
workers from several professional categories took to the streets to protest the
way in which the present centre-to-right government is handling the issues
caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which seriously affected Romania’s economy.
The protesters marched towards the government
buildings, various ministries and county prefectures to voice their discontent
and present their claims.
Cartel
Alfa,
one of Romania’s main trade union federation on January 14th kicked off a
series of protests due to last until February 28th.
In order to comply with the prevention measures
imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the protests are to unfold gradually and
besides street rallies they are to include a series of other measures, such as
petitions, requests and talks with MPs from all political parties. The
protesters’ main claims include, decent wages and equitable pensions,
high-quality public services, the resumption of collective negotiations, fair
duties and taxes and the correct implementation of legislation. Here is Cartel
Alfa leader Bogdan Hosu with details on the aforementioned protests.
Bogdan Hosu: ʺState
employees are disgruntled with their rights and salaries that have been frozen for
the year 2020 and with the fact that the pledged pay rise of 8% has been
cancelled, so they can no longer reach the envisaged parameters of the unique
budgetary pay law. Pensioners have also voiced dissatisfaction at the fact that
their pensions are being unfairly calculated. Those in the private sector are
also dissatisfied with the employers’ inability to provide the right pay rises
in keeping with the transfer of tax liability from the employer to the
employee.
In a letter entitled We All Have the Same Rights!
Cartel Alfa has reminded all the governing parties (PNL, USR-Plus and UDMR)
that the austerity policy instated by the present government is not part of the
pledges during the campaign for the elections on December 6th, and
the present economic and social background as well as the health crisis, which was
affecting Romania even before the elections, cannot justify such a quick shift
in public politics.
Trade unionists are aware that Romania, as the whole
world, is currently facing a large-scale health and economic crisis, but they
believe the country is in great need of balanced public policies made up
through a series of real talks with social partners so that the efforts and
costs may be fairly distributed.
Without any specific example, the country’s Deputy
Prime Minister Dan Barna says that part of the claims could be solved in the
coming period. In a Facebook post, Barna says that some claims can be tackled from
the viewpoint of an economy affected by crisis and a budget deficit, which
should stay around 7% of the GDP.
(bill)