May 22, 2023 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 22.05.2023, 19:44

Strike. Teachers went on strike on
Monday in Romania. According to trade unions, more than 150,000 teachers and 70,000
auxiliary staff joined the protest, dissatisfied with the government’s salary
policy. Labour minister Marius Budăi said a draft emergency order was finalised
providing for salary increases for the auxiliary and non-teaching staff, as
well for as a series of bonuses. Education sector employees will be the first
to benefit from budget resources under the new salary law, the minister also
said. Protests have also been announced by universities.

Visit. The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
will make an official visit to Romania on the 24th to 26th May, at the
invitation of president Klaus Iohannis. According to a statement from the
Romanian president’s office, the visit is a major landmark for the excellent
Romanian-German relations. Talks will focus on extending and deepening
bilateral cooperation in political, security and economic areas. The statement
also mentions that Germany is a reliable ally of Romania, contributing to the
security in the region, and also the country’s main trade partner and the
second-largest foreign investor in the national economy. The two heads of state
will also exchange opinions on current security developments and on
consolidating the defence posture on NATO’s eastern flank. During his visit to
Romania, the president of Germany will also travel to the cities of Sibiu
(centre) and Timisoara (west).

EU. The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu on
Monday attended the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. He reiterated
the need to continue to isolate Russia internationally and supported the
adoption, as soon as possible, of the 11th package of sanctions
against the aggressor state. He also highlighted the need for an effective implementation of the restrictive measures adopted so far and for them not to
be avoided by third countries. During an exchange of views with his
counterparts in the Western Balkans, minister Aurescu reiterated support for
the European path of the states in this region, with the European Union being their closest
partner, including by providing economic assistance through the Investment Plan
for Europe.

Accidents. Romania has the fourth
highest number of fatal accidents at work in Europe, with a rate of three per
100,000 inhabitants, double the European Union average, according to Eurostat.
Last year, 4,500 people suffered accidents at work in Romania, and almost 100
died, according to the data centralised by the labour ministry. Most accidents
were recorded in the construction sector, forestry, forest exploitation and
transports, with the highest number of irregularities being identified on
construction sites.

Healthcare. The Romanian health
minister Alexandru Rafila signed a declaration on the Stroke Action Plan for
Europe, which lays down four tragets to be met by 2030: reducing the number of
strokes by 10%, treating at least 90% of patients with stroke in a dedicated
stroke unit as the first level of care, developing national plans for stroke
encompassing the entire chain of care and implementing national strategies for
multisector public health interventions. Stroke is one of the main causes of
death and disability globally.

Technology.
Bucharest Tech Week, the largest technology and innovation trade fair in
Central and Eastern Europe, got under way in Bucharest on Monday. The event
brings together over 70 speakers, national and international tech experts, and
1,500 professionals from over 100 companies operating in various fields. The
first 5 days are devoted to conferences on innovation, HR, retail, Java and
Software Architecture, under the heading Business Summits. The largest
technology and innovation exhibition, Tech Expo, will also be open to the public
this weekend.

Football.
Farul Constanţa are Romania’s new football champions, after defeating FCSB
3-2 on home turf on Sunday night, in the 9th round of the Super League. Farul
managed a spectacular come-back in the championship final, after FCSB had been
leading 2-0. (CM)