Radio România Internațional

Tag: strike actions

  • June 16, 2023

    June 16, 2023

    GOVERNMENT – The
    freshly sworn-in Prime Minister, Social-Democrat Marcel Ciolacu is today
    holding his first meetings with members of his new cabinet, including deputy
    prime ministers Marian Neacșu and Cătălin Predoiu, Minister for Investment
    Adrian Câciu, Labor Minister Marius Budăi and Finance Minister Marcel Boloș.
    Also today, Prime Minister Ciolacu is holding talks with Education Minister
    Ligia Deca and representatives of education trade unions. In yesterday’s
    government session, Marcel Ciolacu announced his main priorities include
    slashing prices for basic foodstuffs and curbing inflation.




    STRIKE -
    Unionists of the national airline TAROM have threatened to launch a strike
    unless they receive a 15% salary raise. The Ministry of Transport has agreed to
    operate an 8% salary increase, provided this loss-incurring company is
    restructured. Representatives of the Sanitary Solidarity Federation on Thursday
    staged protest rallies near medical units across the country, calling for
    salaries and benefits in line with regulations in force and the relaunch of
    vacancy-filling contests in the healthcare system. Union representatives say
    that unless their grievances are heard and solutions are found, they will be
    organizing a work-in strike on June 27 and starting July 1 they will go on
    all-out strike. We recall that the strike action in the public education system
    was suspended on Monday after the Government pledged its commitment to raise
    salaries and provide bonuses to employees in the system.




    COMMITTEE – The Romanian-German mixed
    government committee on the German minority in Romania met on Thursday in
    Timișoara. On the sidelines of the session, the committee published a joint
    cooperation protocol for preserving the identity of German ethnics. The meeting
    was held this year against the backdrop of very intense Romanian-German
    relations, also as a result of the major contribution of the German minority in
    Romania. The committee agreed to boost bilateral relations in the fields of
    arts and culture by means of specific projects, to conserve German buildings
    and monuments in Romania, as well as to support German-language teaching by
    posting German teachers and developing applied sciences curricula. We recall
    Germany is Romania’s top trade partner, last year two-way trade standing at 40
    mln EUR, as well as Romania’s second-largest investor, with over 25,000
    companies with German capital participation and a total invested capital of 5.5
    bln EUR.




    VISITS – The Prime Minister of the
    Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, is paying an official visit to Bucharest on
    Saturday, government sources say. The Moldovan official will meet his Romanian
    counterpart, Marcel Ciolacu. The Romanian Prime Minister in turn is expected to
    pay his first external visit to Germany, where he will hold talks with
    Chancellor Olaf Scholz.




    FOOTBALL -
    Romania’s football team is today playing Kosovo in Pristina in Group I of the
    EURO 2024 preliminaries. Romania started the qualification campaign with two
    wins, 2-0 against Andorra and 2-1 against Belarus at home. On June 19, in
    Lucerne, Romania will take on the top-seed Switzerland. The first two teams in
    each group will qualify to the EURO 2024 championship to be hosted by Germany.




    WEATHER -
    Romanian meteorologists have issued warnings against stormy weather for western
    counties, in place until Saturday afternoon. Four counties in the southwest
    have been placed under a code red alert for heavy rain. During the interval,
    rainfall volumes are expected to exceed as much as 80 liters/square meter in
    isolated areas. Several counties in the south are already bracing for flash
    floods in the wake of the heavy rainfall of the last few days. Hydrologists
    have issued a code red alert against flash floods and heavy rainfall in excess
    of critical water levels, in place until Saturday afternoon for several rivers
    in the southwest. The highs of the day range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.
    Warm weather and overcast skies are reported in Bucharest with slight chances
    of rain in the second half of the day. The noon reading in the capital city was
    30 degrees. (VP)

  • May 19, 2023 UPDATE

    May 19, 2023 UPDATE

    GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE – The structure of
    the new government could be decided next week, Interior Minister Lucian Bode
    says. For the time being, UDMR, a junior coalition partner, has not commented
    on the proposed changes. According to the protocol signed by PSD, PNL and UDMR,
    Social-Democrat Marcel Ciolacu is set to replace Liberal Nicolae Ciucă as the country’s
    new Prime Minister. This is the first Prime Minister swap in the history of the
    Romanian politics since 1989.




    EDUCATION -The Senate’s committee on education must
    submit its final conclusions regarding the undergraduate education bill on
    Monday, the Senate leadership announced on Friday. On Friday, debates continued
    over the education bill, the committee also passing a number of amendments
    regulating access to education for children with special learning needs.
    Schools will also need to ensure behavioral analysts and social workers to help
    such pupils. No modifications were brought to the provisions on pupil transport
    and the reduction of school dropout. Members of the education committees will
    also vote on amendments concerning pupil evaluation. A final vote is scheduled
    for next week in the Senate.




    STRIKE – Chamber of
    Deputies Speaker Marcel Ciolacu said strike actions in the education system
    should be avoided, expressing willingness to discuss with education trade union
    leaders over the weekend in order to avoid Monday’s planned strike. In a
    Facebook post, Ciolacu said he discussed with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, who
    is also open to dialogue. Politicians and unionists must show responsibility
    and lucidity and focus on solutions to keep children in schools, Marcel Ciolacu
    also argued. The Romanian official said the strike will produce chaos,
    disrupting not just school activity, but also the lives of millions of
    families. We recall education trade unions have called an all-out strike on May
    22, protesting work conditions and salaries.




    OPERATION – Romanian navy
    military serving on the Kind Ferdinand frigate have carried out complex
    actions in the Mediterranean jointly with other EU naval groups under the aegis
    of the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI Operation, held over May 13-19. Training drills in
    all areas of activity were also carried out on board, from vital standard actions
    and communication exercises, to enemy attack response drills and live ammo
    target practice. Daytime and nighttime surveillance flights were also carried
    out to monitor maritime traffic and training drills using the Puma Naval
    helicopter on board. The King Ferdinand frigate docked in the port of
    Catania, Italy on Friday for refitting ahead of the upcoming missions in the
    EUNAVFOR MED IRINI Operation.




    RALLY IN MOLDOVA – European
    Parliament president Roberta Metsola will attend Sunday’s European Moldova
    rally in Chișinău, held in support of the European integration of the Republic
    of Moldova. Attending the rally in the Great National Assembly Square in
    Chișinău will be Moldovans from both at home and abroad. The rally will
    occasion the adoption of a resolution confirming citizens’ support for
    Moldova’s European track. The event is held ahead of the European Political
    Community Summit to be held in Chișinău on June 1.




    RADIATION – The latest
    explosions in Ukraine have not produced an increase in radiation levels across
    Romania, the National Environment Protection Agency has announced. In an online
    post, Agency representatives said Romanians have no reason to worry in this
    respect, as the latest measurements fall within normal values. The announcement
    follows a piece of information launched by Russian Security Council Secretary
    Nikolay Patrushev, who argued that the destruction of depleted uranium
    munitions supplied by the West to Ukraine has caused a radioactive cloud that
    is drifting towards Europe.




    SANCTIONS – The US and their G7 allies Friday
    announced new sanctions to reduce Russia’s ability to carry on its war in
    Ukraine. The sanctions, which target Russia’s highly profitable diamond
    exports, were decided right ahead of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Diamond
    exports, mainly to the UAE, India and EU member state Belgium, earn Moscow
    several billion US dollars a year. An EU official said India’s joining the new
    set of sanctions would be crucial. Invited to attend the summit in Hiroshima is
    also the Indian PM Narendra Modi, whose country has strong ties with Moscow and
    has been reluctant so far to condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (AMP
    & VP)









  • January 21, 2022

    January 21, 2022

    COVID-19
    ROMANIA -
    19,649 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours, an absolute high
    since the start of the pandemic, the Group for Strategic Communication has
    announced. Yesterday, Romania also reported over 19 thousand cases. Also today,
    49 related fatalities have also been reported. Health Minister Alexandru Rafila
    says the COVID-related mortality rate is at present ten times lower compared to
    October last year. The Romanian official added that an innovative antiviral
    treatment will also be made available shortly. 8 million Romanians have so far
    received at least one dose of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. The rate of
    vaccination stands at 47.5% of the total eligible population, the head of the
    National Committee for the Coordination of anti-COVID-19 Vaccination
    Activities, medical doctor Valeriu Gheorghiţă has announced. According to Dr.
    Gheorghiţă, the highest vaccination rate (56%) is reported in the 50-59 age
    bracket. The Health Minsitry announced that the bed occupation rate in
    hospitals stands at 22% at national level, meaning classes in schools will
    continue with full physical attendance next week as well.




    COVID-19 WORLD
    – The Austrian Parliament on Thursday adopted the law making anti-COVID-19
    vaccination mandatory for the adult population. Austria thus becomes the first
    EU country to introduce such a measure to combat the pandemic, despite numerous
    street protests and an unconvincing vaccination campaign. The measure will take
    effect on February 4. Austria reported a record-high number of infections,
    nearly 30,000. Around 72% of people have completed the full vaccination scene,
    below the figures reported in France or Spain. Meanwhile, the number of
    infections continues to drop in the UK. The Government in London has announced
    important relaxation of anti-pandemic measures starting next week. Masks and
    COVID certificates will no longer be mandatory. Around 92,000 are reported
    daily, considering 90% of the population has been immunized. In France as well,
    the Government is considering a gradual easing of restrictions. Starting next
    week, people can access restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centers,
    cinemas, theatre and concert halls, stadiums and gyms only if they provide
    proof of vaccination. Similarly, they can travel by train or coach between
    regions under a similar provision. Yesterday, the UK reported 400 thousand
    infections. 93% of the population has received at least one shot of the
    anti-COVID vaccine.




    STRIKE – The
    strike action staged by trade unionists of the Bucharest Municipal Transport
    Company continues today. Drivers this morning refused to do their regular
    itineraries, although the Bucharest Tribunal yesterday issued a ruling to
    suspend the strike and forcing the Company to resume public transport
    activities. The court of law today will rule on a second notification advanced
    by the Company over the legality of the protest. Trade union leader, Vasile
    Petrariu, says public transport will resume once the Company director, Adrian Criță, resigns, also calling for a 10% increase of
    salaries. Adrian Criță says that earlier this year he
    invited the trade unions to negotiate the collective employment agreement, but
    has so far received no response. Bucharest Mayor, Nicușor Dan, argues the
    protest is purely political and has called on the authorities to enforce the
    law. Also today, trade unions in the aluminum manufacturing sector are staging
    a protest in front of the Government building. Employees point to the critical
    issues facing this industry, as a result of the increase in energy prices.
    Trade unions have warned that, by cutting back on aluminum production, large
    numbers of people will be laid off or put on furlough, which will in turn
    affect tens of thousands of employees working for enterprises that are directly
    or indirectly reliant on the aluminum production industry.




    US-RUSSIA RELATIONS – Geneva is today holding a round of talks between the USA and Russia.
    Attending will be Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the US
    Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The US official on Wednesday paid a visit
    to Kiev, reiterating the US’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Romania’s
    president, Klaus Iohannis, on Thursday hailed the announcement made the
    previous day by US president Joe Biden over the increase of America’s military
    presence in Romania on NATO’s eastern flank should the security situation
    deteriorate. The Romanian president added
    that Romania’s Strategic Partnership with France will also be consolidated in
    the Black Sea region, following the announcement of French president Emmanuel
    Macron regarding France’s willingness to deploy troops on Romania’s territory
    as part of NATO missions. Russia has
    rallied over 100 thousand troops on the Ukrainian border, although it has
    denied allegations over a planned invasion. The Kremlin has called on NATO
    members to withdraw their troops from countries in Eastern Europe, including
    Romania. Several rounds of talks between Washington and Moscow have taken place
    in recent days, producing no results.




    RUSSIA-ROMANIA
    RELATIONS – On Friday, Russia called
    on NATO to withdraw its troops from Romania and Bulgaria, as part of its
    so-called security guarantees. The Russian Foreign Ministry wants NATO to
    withdraw its troops, equipment and weapons from ex-Soviet states that were not
    part of the Alliance in 1997. Such is the case of Romania and Bulgaria,
    although analysts say Russia’s demands might also target Poland and the Baltic
    states. The Kremlin claims the West had promised in the 1990s, at the end of
    the Cold War, that NATO would never expand to states behind the former Iron
    Curtain. From Poland to Bulgaria, all former USSR satellites in Central and
    Eastern Europe are today part of NATO, as well as Estonia, Latvia and
    Lithuania. A March 2021 survey shows that 81% of Romanians believe the country
    should be focusing on the West in terms of political and military alliances,
    namely the EU, the USA and NATO. Only 10.4% of respondents believe Romania
    should be focusing on Russia and China.




    TENNIS – The
    pair made up of Jaqueline Cristian of Romania and Andrea Petkovic of Germany
    today advanced to the second round in the women’s doubles at the Australian
    Open after ousting the all-Romanian pair Simona Halep / Gabriela Ruse in
    straight sets. Raluca Olaru of Romania and Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany were
    knocked out by Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang of China. The only Romanians left in
    the women’s singles, Simona Halep and Sorana Cîrstea, are competing in the
    third round on Saturday against Danka Kovinić of Montenegro and Anastasia
    Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, respectively. (VP)

  • Summer marked by protests in Romania

    Summer marked by protests in Romania

    Road freight and passenger carriers and animal breeders in Romania, who are discontented with the high cost of compulsory vehicle insurance and the delayed payment of subsides for the year 2015, respectively, say they have run out of patience. As a token of protest, road freight and passenger carriers have announced they will run at low speed at least one hour per day on the main roads across Romania. They are discontented mainly because car insurance premiums have doubled from 2,000 to more than 4,000 Euros within a year. Consequently, road carriers in Romania report high costs and can no longer be competitive at a European level. The line associations call on the government to freeze car insurance premiums and have warned that if measures are not taken urgently, they might completely halt their activity. The secretary general of the National Union of Road Carriers, Radu Dinescu, has more:



    “The low-speed circulation of vehicles will most likely have a significant impact in the areas with already heavy traffic. And Im referring to the roads leading to the seaside, to the mountains and the beltline of Bucharest. Furthermore, a big rally is scheduled for September 15, in Bucharest. Those involved are ready to stop protesting only when the problem is solved.



    In another move, animal breeders have taken to the street and continue to protest in front of the Government headquarters. Some of them have been on hunger strike for days now. They say they will give up protests only when they receive the subsides for 2015 in their entirety. The Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture has admitted it has failed to comply with the pledges made to the farmers, that is to pay 95% of the volume of subsidies by mid-August. The director of the aforementioned agency, Nicolae Horumbă says farmers are also to be blamed.



    “We have been notified by our representatives at county level that they repeatedly invite farmers at the headquarters of the agency, but farmers either do not come or do not have the necessary documents with them. Therefore, our employees have to wait for 10 days, the time span stipulated in the notification, to make a decision on the respective case. In their turn, farmers ask themselves why things are difficult with the payment schemes. The approval entails a process of administrative verification of payment requests, which are not always completely and correctly formulated.



    In turn, farmers contradict the director of the agency, saying they have compiled the requests correctly and submitted them in due time alongside the necessary documents to receive subsidises for 2015, but the government hasnt respected its promise. The Director of the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture claims that 1.9 billion of the 2.1 billion Euros for subsidies have already been paid to the farmers, with the agency employees working intensely to be able to pay the difference in the near future.