“I think the only logical decision now would be to let builders work if they can, as well as the cement and construction material industries supply them with what they need. It would be a pity to halt construction operations and turn us into a burden for the economy,” says Mihai Rohan, chairman of the cement industry companies association CIROM.
Construction workers on construction sites do not work in large groups, they are usually spaced far from each other, Rohan says, and if steps are taken about transportation by using more vehicles, one can ensure a normal workflow.
The cement industry has 2,500 employees, in addition to transportation, cleaning and security services providers or those who make spare parts, which means cement production is actually employing 9,000 to 10,000 people, according to CIROM estimates. The cement industry is dominated by three major manufacturers with seven plants and a total production capacity of more than 12 million tons a year.
Other construction industry actors say activity should continue, because restarting construction sites and plants will be difficult.
“The biggest initiative of the government right now would be to keep the healthy companies, with lots of employees, alive. It should launch infrastructure, highway, road, railroad and hospital projects as soon as possible. Probably, when this crisis is over, we will realize we don’t have enough hospitals. The three essential things Romania is lacking – infrastructure, healthcare and education, this is where investments should go,” Adrian Garmacea, owner of PVC trim, window rolling shades and garage door manufacturer Electric Plus, told ZF.
The biggest fear Adrian Garmacea has now is a new set of measures from the government that require plants to shut down. “An increasingly serious and ugly economic crisis is looming. People are afraid for their jobs and want to keep coming to work.”
The construction market is estimated at EUR10 billion, according to the latest available data. The sector contributed 6.4% to the GDP formation in 2019.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)