About 5,500 Romanian Miners Might Be Put On Furlough Until 2013

The proposition was put forward by unionists and is included in the mine restructuring program.

Pisc said the measure will help the respective companies reduce costs and added miners put on furlough may be called back to work if companies expand activity.

According to the propositions made by unionists, miners who can retire in 2013 will be granted unemployment aid and severance payments until that date, and those who won't be able to retire in 2013 will receive unemployment aid and severance.

The union leader said the labor minister agreed with putting miners on furlough, but rejected the proposition to grant miners 75% of their salaries during the two-year furlough.

Pisc stressed that miners might be put on furlough starting March 1, depending on how fast negotiations with The Labor Ministry on the issue are concluded.

The ministry and unionists decided to set up a working committee made up of Labor Ministry and union representatives. A final decision on this matter might be taken on Friday when a new meeting between the two parties will take place.

On February 10, Economy Minister Ion Ariton, national coal company CNH representatives and unions in Jiu Valley signed a protocol to ensure the needed funds so that mining activities in the valley continue and CNH's arrear problems are solved.

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