Romanian public sector employees entered general strike on Monday, with the participation of public servants, teachers and medical personnel. They protest austerity measures announced by the Government. Some 10,000 employees from ambulance services entered strike for an undetermined period and are joined by trade union members from community police, penitentiaries and customs. Pensioners announced a new protest before Government headquarters on Monday.
Trade union members say over 100,000 public servants would halt their activities. The head of a public sector trade union confederation, Rombel Neagu of FNSA, told Romanian news agency Mediafax that there were counties - including Mures, Timis, Constanta, Cluj and Iasi - where over 100 town and city halls would stop activity on Monday.
Throughout the general strike, employees would go to work according to schedules but only to sign for their presence there.
Starting June 1, FNSA trade unions would join protests at county level.
Protesters are discontent with major salary cuts in local public administration and layoffs announced by the government.
The leader of the Sed Lex trade union alliance, Vasile Marica, told Mediafax that some 85,000 of the 105,000 union members would halt activity on Monday in solidarity with other public servants.
Some 360,000 teachers enter strike for an undetermined period as the school year is about to conclude and as the Bacalaureate is starting with 200,000 students due to take Romanian language tests on Monday. Education minister Funeriu has said the test would take place normally throughout the country.
30% of hospital activities would be provided, especially emergencies, as medical personnel enter solidarity strike today as well. Romanian public sector employees entered general strike on Monday, with the parti
