Healthcare Employees Threaten To Stage Protests Starting Monday
Trade unions in the Romanian healthcare sector, backed by some professional associations, said they would stage a series of protests, which will start with a go-slow strike.
Protesters will be on go-slow strike between March 21 and 27, and on March 28, they will voice out their demands in the Chamber of Deputies (at the committee for healthcare issues). On March 31 and April 7, they will start picketing the Labor and Health ministries and between April 11 and 17, they will stage a warning strike. On April 18 they will go on a full-blown strike.
The union federation ”Hipocrat” and the Federation Chamber of Physicians’ Unions in Romania, which are members of the National Union Confederation (CNS) ”Cartel ALFA,” will be starting a series of protests on Monday, which will debut with a go-slow strike. The decision to stage protests comes after failed talks between the leaders of the two organizations and Health Minister Patriciu Achimas Cadariu, and state secretary Francisk Iulian Chiriac, at the beginning of last week.
Healthcare employees’ demands target, among others, the enforcement of the provisions of Law 284/2010 regarding a unitary pay system in the healthcare sector as well, the granting of all bonuses, calculated based on the actual wage, as well as the bonus for difficult working conditions, the PhD bonus, as well as observing labor norms, the working time and rest time for all categories of healthcare employees, by reducing, up to the point of eliminating the staff shortage which only leads to piles of work and limited rest time. (Adevarul)
Romania Crude Oil Imports Rose 3.9% In January 2016
Romania’s crude oil imports rose 3.9% on the year in January 2016, to 511,800 tons of oil equivalent (toe).
Statistical data show the crude oil output stood at 302,300 toe in January, down 5.13% from January 2015. As per the draft energy strategy, Romania’s crude oil reserves are limited, considering that any discoveries in the last 30 years are modest.
Given the annual average production of the last years (3.9 million tons), Romania’s current crude oil reserves are expected to be depleted in approximately 20 years.
The draft says Romania’s crude oil output saw a constant decline of 2% over the last five years and forecasts for the next five years point to a continuous decline. (Adevarul)
Government Calls On Lawmakers To Amend Debt Discharge Bill
The Government told lawmakers the debt discharge bill needs major changes.
This week, the debt discharge bill must be debated in the Chamber of Deputies’ committee for legal matters, which will draft a final report that will be subsequently put to the vote in Parliament.
The Government suggests the bill must target only families that can no longer afford to pay back their loans, whereas, currently, the „bill does not clearly stipulate its beneficiaries or the objective criteria used for their selection (for instance, a person facing financial problems due to an independent situation)” said Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos.
Moreover, the bill creates a situation in which anybody willing to get rid of an asset bought with a creditor’s money, can return it to the bank anytime they please, brining damages to the other party.
Central bank governor Mugur Isarescu recently said he bill should strengthen its social character, targeting the under-privileged, and should not include the government-backed mortgage lending First Home program. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Tarom CEO Suspended Over Bad Management
Administrators of Romanian state-run airline Tarom decided last Friday to suspend Edouard Heinzmann from his position as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 22, citing faulty management, said Transport Minister Dan Costescu.
Costescu pointed out the lack of responsibility and management deficiencies are inexcusable. He went on saying the budget of revenue and expenses was not fulfilled and, instead of posting loss of RON8 million, the airline posted a loss of RON41 million last year, in the context of plunging jet fuel prices in 2015.
Costescu said the control body had also tracked various irregularities at Tarom, adding the company’s Executive Board would convene on Monday, March 21, to make a final decision on the future of the company.
According to Costescu, the company’s Board will weigh up the potential compensations the company might pay to Heinzmann, if the latter is revoked, and the loss registered by the airline. The minister said compensations might reach tens or hundreds of thousands of euros and losses might reach tens of millions of euros. The minister went on saying there is a contract clause allowing the company to revoke its CEO, over faulty management, without the latter having to face any consequences. (Puterea)
Liviu Dragnea Unveils List Of Social Democrat Candidates At Upcoming Local Elections
Liviu Dragnea, head of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), presented the list of candidates its party will back at the local elections due in June.
Daniel Tudorache will run for mayor of Bucharest district 1, current district 2 mayor Neculai Ontanu will be running for the same position, current district 3 mayor Robert Negoita will be running for the same position, current district 4 interim mayor Daniel Baluta will be running for the position of mayor, Daniel Florea will be running for mayor of district 5 and senator Gabriel Mutu will be running for mayor of district 6.
Dragnea said last week that social democrats validated Gabriela Firea’s candidacy for Bucharest mayor. (Puterea)