THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Only the Orthodox Pentecost mini-vacation, in extension of International Childrens Day, temporarily silenced the noise of social discontent in Romania! Once the mini-vacation ended, the protests were resumed with intensity, a sign of deep dissatisfaction in society. The general strike of pre-university teachers, who are demanding higher incomes, entered its third week on Monday. On Friday, a new protest march of employees in the field, still dissatisfied with the Governments response to their demands, was scheduled in Bucharest. The day before, in an attempt to calm their anger, the Executive adopted a memorandum by which it undertook to bring the salary of a beginner teacher to the level of the gross average for the economy in the salary scale that will come into force next year. Union leaders, however, declared themselves dissatisfied with the legal guarantees offered. In parallel, as at the end of any school year school situations must be concluded and national exams organized, the line ministry shifted some dates from the calendar of the education system, waiting for the end of the social conflict and the return of teachers to work. On the other hand, also this week, in Bucharest, there was also a protest by healthcare employees. Their major grievances are mainly related to salaries and bonuses. If the salary of a doctor with over 25 years of experience can reach 9,000 lei net per month (1,800 euros), that of a medical assistant with the same seniority barely exceeds 3,000 lei, only if they also work night shifts. Right during the protest, healthcare employees received the news that the Government adopted an emergency ordinance by which it correlated salaries with the 2022 salary scale for nurses, caregivers, and ambulance workers. Based on the same ordinance, police officers incomes would increase to the maximum level provided by law. Police officers also protested against the reform project, undertaken under the NPRR, of the special state pensions that they currently enjoy, along other professional categories, such as magistrates,. The police demand the removal of military pensions from the NPRR. According to the reform, the retirement age would be increased, and pensions would be reduced.

Roxana Vasile, 11.06.2023, 04:16

A summer under the specter of social movements?

Only the Orthodox Pentecost mini-vacation, in extension of International Childrens Day, temporarily silenced the noise of social discontent in Romania! Once the mini-vacation ended, the protests were resumed with intensity, a sign of deep dissatisfaction in society. The general strike of pre-university teachers, who are demanding higher incomes, entered its third week on Monday. On Friday, a new protest march of employees in the field, still dissatisfied with the Governments response to their demands, was scheduled in Bucharest. The day before, in an attempt to calm their anger, the Executive adopted a memorandum by which it undertook to bring the salary of a beginner teacher to the level of the gross average for the economy in the salary scale that will come into force next year. Union leaders, however, declared themselves dissatisfied with the legal guarantees offered. In parallel, as at the end of any school year school situations must be concluded and national exams organized, the line ministry shifted some dates from the calendar of the education system, waiting for the end of the social conflict and the return of teachers to work. On the other hand, also this week, in Bucharest, there was also a protest by healthcare employees. Their major grievances are mainly related to salaries and bonuses. If the salary of a doctor with over 25 years of experience can reach 9,000 lei net per month (1,800 euros), that of a medical assistant with the same seniority barely exceeds 3,000 lei, only if they also work night shifts. Right during the protest, healthcare employees received the news that the Government adopted an emergency ordinance by which it correlated salaries with the 2022 salary scale for nurses, caregivers, and ambulance workers. Based on the same ordinance, police officers incomes would increase to the maximum level provided by law. Police officers also protested against the reform project, undertaken under the NPRR, of the special state pensions that they currently enjoy, along other professional categories, such as magistrates,. The police demand the removal of military pensions from the NPRR. According to the reform, the retirement age would be increased, and pensions would be reduced.

Neither the situation of Romanians, nor that of the economy, is exactly flourishing!

The total average monthly income in Romania last year was almost 6,500 lei (about 1,300 euros) per family, up by almost 14% compared to 2021, according to data provided on Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics. However, more than 85% of the money earned was spent on food, housing, utilities, and paying taxes. At the macro level, the countrys economy grew by 2.3 percent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year. According to estimates, economic growth will continue, but at a slower pace than in 2022, due to persistent inflation, tight financing conditions, and weaker economic growth of Romanias trading partners.

B9 condemns Russia

By order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, the Russian ambassador in Bucharest was informed on Thursday about the decision of the Romanian authorities to reduce the diplomatic and technical-administrative staff of Moscow in Romania, by limiting their number to a level close to that of Romanias diplomatic and technical-administrative representation in Russia. Thus, Moscow must reduce the number of staff by 21 diplomat positions and 30 technical-administrative staff positions, which amounts to 61%. The measure reflects the current level of bilateral relations, drastically reduced by Romania after Russia launched the war of aggression against Ukraine, according to the MFA. The Russian side has 30 days at most to implement the decision made by the Romanian side. On the other hand, the presidents present, early this week, at the Bratislava summit of the Bucharest 9 Format countries, including the Romanian head of state, Klaus Iohannis, firmly condemned the brutal, unjustified and illegal war against Ukraine. The Romanian head of state spoke about the crucial importance of NATOs eastern flank in the face of the Russian threat.

King Charles III, at home in Romania

King Charles III of Great Britain ended his five-day private visit to Romania, the first outside the Kingdom since his coronation. On Tuesday, in Viscri, in Brașov county (center), where he bought a house as far back as 2006, then transforming it into a botanical museum – one of the kings passions, Charles III was greeted by locals and tourists delighted by his presence in the heart of Romania. The Kings visit began on June 2, when he was received in Bucharest by President Klaus Iohannis. About 300 people attended the reception organized in honor of the current sovereign to mark 25 years since his first visit to the country. Then, he went to the village of Valea Zălanului, in Covasna county, where he owns several traditional houses.

Waiting for the UNITER Gala

On June 12, the 31st edition of the UNITER Awards Gala will take place, through which the Romanian theater scene rewards the best creations of the previous year. This year, the city of Timişoara (south-west) – Cultural Capital of Europe – was chosen for the Gala. The organizers promise a special event that will be inspired by the 20s and 30s period last century. Until then, it has been decided to present on stage, this week, the theater plays nominated in the Best Play category. On the other hand, almost 200 films will be screened in Cluj (north-west), starting on Friday, for 10 days, as part of a new edition of the Transilvania Film Festival, where famous actors and directors have announced their presence from within the country and abroad, including the actors Geoffrey Rush and Timothy Splash, and the director Oliver Stone.