Unionists claim measured announced by President are unacceptable

The proposals announced by Romanian President Traian Basescu are unacceptable, CNSLR Fratia union leader Marius Petcu at the end of the press conference the chief of state held at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, when he announced the anti-crisis measures proposed by the International Monetary Fund.

„I am shocked by the President’s proposals and I am waiting the reactions of unionist colleagues, because these proposals are unacceptable. I still believe this is a joke and tomorrow we are going to wake up from this nightmare”, Marius Petcu said.

In his turn, Iacob Baciu, CSDR leader, claims there is no legal basis for the measures announced by the chief of state to be enforced, Romanian news agency Agerpres reads.

„The minimum income – namely 705 lei [per month] – is featured in the unique salary scheme and considered for the delivery of the state budget for this year. The salaries fund is included on this year’s Budget Law. Plus, the unemployment and pensions money is included as well. The law must be altered first and then the cuts enforced. I cannot believe the president thought to reduce the pensions by 15%, no decision is taken retroactively. This is unacceptable. It is more than we can stand and the reactions of those affected will be equally strong. The President has kept quiet about the ministries’ waste of the public money with the political clientele or with projects and programmes that are inappropriate at this time”, Iacob Baciu said.

President Traian Basescu announced on Thursday that the salary fund for the public sector is to be cut by 25% starting June 1, while the pensions fund would be reduced by 15%.