Over 1,000 Prison Sys Employees Picket Romanian Justice Ministry

The protest was organized by the National Union of Prison Workers and the Federation of Unions in the National Administration of Penitentiaries.

Protesters demanded the resignation of the justice minister, the management of the National Administration of Penitentiaries, of Justice Ministry state secretary Radu Ragea, professional respect and the payment of bonuses.

Demonstrators also forwarded a petition to the minister on Wednesday, urging him to get involved in solving their problems. Prison system employees demand the increase of the budget allotted to the National Administration of Penitentiaries (ANP) to ensure the system works in security conditions and allow investments in infrastructure and logistics.

"ANP needs 112 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2137) to survive this year. In 2009, the budget of ANP is 85% of that in 2008 and 55.7% compared to what it needs. Investments in the penitentiary system have been lowered by 84%. This situation has got to stop,” protesters said in the petition.

Prison system employees triggered labor conflict and protests on June 30, when they started out with a go-slow strike. Protesters said they would picket the Justice Ministry and go on warning strikes, threatening to reach a general strike unless their problems are solved.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.