About 10,000 Romanian Education Unionists To Stage Protests On World Teachers’ Day

FSLI leader Aurel Cornea told a news conference Sunday that demonstrations in the Victoriei Square will take place between 11.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and unionists will leave for the Labor and Education ministries' headquarters. Protests are scheduled to end at 2 p.m..

Unionists want decent salaries and ask authorities to raise the minimum wage to 750 lei (EUR1=RON4.2672). They also demand that education unionists attend debates in the Senate on the country's education bill and reject the proposition that the Government should seek a confidence vote in Parliament to pass the bill.

Unionists also call on authorities to reform the system, allot at least 6% of the gross domestic product to the education sector and halt layoffs.

The National Education Union Federation and union federation 'Spiru Haret' said they will also stage protests on October 5 at the Presidential Palace.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Saturday the Government will seek a confidence vote in Parliament to pass the country's draft education law as adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, if debates in the Senate on the draft act are not finished in the upcoming period. The prime minister highlighted that a decision in this respect will be taken by the ruling Coalition, adding the issue will be discussed in a Government meeting Monday.

The leaders of Romania's major trade union confederations decided Thursday to hold joint protests, meaning a rally planned for October 7 might be postponed to allow more time to mobilize 70,000-80,000 people.

Cartel Alfa president Bogdan Hossu said each confederation will consult its members about future protest action, and the leaders will meet again on Monday and decide on a joint strategy. He said the unionists' demands concern minimum wage, new jobs, the pension law and public sector wage law.

CNSLR Fratia president Marius Petcu said protests scheduled before October 7 will go ahead, but pointed out that union leaders are considering delaying the rally to mark the World Day for Decent Work on October 7, because there would not be enough time to mobilize around 80,000 people. An added reason is that the 10,000 education system unionists who plan to hold a protest on October 5 might be unable to take to the streets again after just two days.

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