May 30, 2023
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 30.05.2023, 13:55
Strike. Last night, the Romanian Government presented a new and better offer to the teachers who, on Monday, entered the second week of their all-out strike. Teaching and auxiliary teaching staff were offered two bonuses of 2,000 lei (400 euros) each, in June and October. For the non-teaching staff, the offer was 1,500 lei, also in the form of bonuses. At the same time, the unions were promised the conclusion of an agreement with the parties in the governing coalition that would cover all the aspects to be included in the future salary law. The Governments offer was sent to teachers from all over the country, and a response from them is expected regarding the continuation or not of the strike. Today, in the capital, teachers are holding a march. They want to call on the president of the country, Klaus Iohannis, himself a teacher, to get involved in finding a solution to their demands, especially the salary related ones. Last week, over 10 thousand Education employees participated in a rally in front of the Government headquarters. Meanwhile, the strike is particularly affecting final year students, who fear they wont be able to sit their exams on time.
Protests. In Romania, prison police officers are starting to protest. They stand against the increase of the retirement age to 65 years, as they claim that the life expectancy of employees in the system is 62 years. Today, they are wearing white armbands at work, and for tomorrow a temporary interruption of the activity for two hours is announced in several units across the country. Court clerks too have announced that they plan to join the protests started by the other categories of public employees. On Monday, hundreds of employees of the national Railways Company organized a protest rally. They accuse the continuous degradation of working conditions and the fact that there is no salary scheme in the company to stimulate performance and increase the efficiency of the employees. Trade unionists from the medical sector have also started a calendar of protests. Their claims concern the application of the provisions of the salary law to all employees, with reference to the categories of staff that have the lowest incomes, the granting of vacation vouchers and the modification of the calculation system for increments, night shifts and food allowances. More on this after the news.
Pensions. The Romanian Chamber of Deputies is to decide the final form of the bill amending the special pension law. Today, parliamentarians from the labor committee are analyzing the amendments submitted on Monday by the leaders of the PSD-PNL-UDMR governing coalition. The changes were requested by the European Commission, so that Romania could benefit from European funds, as the reform of special pensions is a milestone in the NRRP. According to the new amendments, the standard retirement age is correlated with the public pension system, in order to eliminate exceptions. For diplomats and court auxiliary personnel, the standard retirement age will increase to 65 years. The same principle will apply to military personnel, gradually, until 2035.
Syria. The National Committee for Emergency Situations, convened on Monday by the Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciucă, approved the granting, free of charge, of humanitarian aid to Syria. It is intended for the population affected by the major earthquake produced on the territory of Turkey on February 6, which caused casualties and big material damage in Syria as well. The support is granted based on the humanitarian assistance request initiated by Damascus through the European Civil Protection Mechanism. The Romanian state, through the National Administration of State Reserves and the Romanian Patriarchate, will send basic goods, food, medical devices and shelter items. The transport will be carried out by air, with the support of the Ministry of Defense.
Forum. The Romanian – Ukraine Bilateral Chamber of Commerce is organizing today, under the auspices of the Embassy of Ukraine in Bucharest, the “Rebuilding Ukraine” forum. The event is attended by government officials from the two countries, as well as representatives of Romanian companies that want to get involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Also, the project includes the organization of an annual conference, a forum and an exhibition.
UNITER. The UNITER Gala, which awards the best Romanian theatrical productions, will take place on June 12, in Timișoara, with a new concept, specially created for the city in the west of the country, which holds the title of Cultural Capital of Europe, the organizers announce din a press conference on Monday. In the preamble, between June 7-10, three of the best shows of 2022, nominated for the UNITER awards, will be presented: “Oedipus King” of the “Marin Sorescu” National Theater in Craiova (south), “Antonin Artaud. The Cenci Family” of the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theater in Iasi (east) and “Seaside Stories” of the Constanta State Theater (south-east). The performances will be followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions with the audience. (MI)
