Trade unionists argued that the “incompetence and ill-will” of Posta Romana management will gradually trigger wage cuts and the disbandment of half of postal offices in towns and all postal units in rural areas.
They said the company’s managers failed to implement “a single coherent and concrete measure meant to help Posta Romana keep its position on the local postal services market.
According to unionists, protests are likely to continue depending on further decisions by the company’s management.
Communications Minister Dan Nica said the protests are “groundless” and stressed he can only guarantee the jobs of diligent workers.
Posta Romana will be privatized through share capital increase by mid-June 2013, provided the European Commission approves the procedure. The Romanian Government will require the Commission’s approval for the sale of a majority stake in Posta Romana.
The Government will publish the auction announcement by the end of February and will draft a list of eligible investors by early April. Eligible investors will be selected by mid-May and the privatization contract will be signed by mid-June 2013.
Posta Romana is the country’s biggest postal operator, 75% owned by the Ministry of Communications and 25% by investment fund Fondul Proprietatea (FP. RO).
In 2011, the company’s turnover dropped 8.7%, to 1.26 billion lei (EUR287 million), while its net loss widened 50%, to RON182.9 million. The company had debts of RON556.9 million at the end of 2011.