Bechtel lays off over 2,000 employees. Romanians state threatens to sue

The board at Bechtel decided at the end of 2008 to lay off some 2,300 employees. The move was blocked by the local County Employment Agency, which threatened to sue the company for not respecting the labor legislation. Still, Bechtel decided to sent home, to temporary (technical) unemployment, some 2,000 employees.

Most of the workers at Bechtel stopped working at the highway and receive 75% of their wage while staying at home. Only some 200 people are still active on the construction site, all working for the conservation of the construction finished so far.

Union workers also claim that some 600 workers were forced to present their resignations in 2008. The Cluj County Employment Agency claims that collective lay-offs can not be decided by Bechtel, unless the object of activity is lost – namely if the highway is finished.