Alfa Cartel, ignored by Cotroceni: what is « the real problem »

Trade union confederation Alfa Cartel He says that « Romania is going through one of the deepest social and economic crises of the last decades » and, despite the fact that the parties claim that they have understood the message transmitted by the citizens to the last elections, « Reality shows the exact opposite ».

« So far, the president has only met with the business environment, with employer organizations, but also with people in the lobby area whose purpose is to increase profits for the companies they represent. It is unacceptable that only these groups will be consulted in the process of elaborating a new fiscal policy, in the conditions in which Romania recognizes the importance of social dialog. » through a press release.

They make a public appeal to the President of Romania « to play the constitutional role of mediator between the state and the society and to become a guarantor of social justice, balance and reconstruction, at a time when social voices are ignored, and public policies risk being dictated exclusively by clientele interests and the logic of austerity ».

« The reduction of the budgetary expenses through personnel cuts and the blocking of public services does not represent a solution. Contrary to the dominant political discourse, Romania does not have an oversized budgetary apparatus. In reality, we have a civil servant at 53 citizens, compared to Germany (1 to 29) or Sweden (1 to 21), and as a whole 1 to 18 inhabitants. The central is chronically underdimed, which seriously affects the ability to provide quality public services.

According to them, « the real problem are not the people in the system, but the waste of public money, political clientelism, populist and inefficient expenses, all leading to the degradation of public services and the loss of citizens’ confidence.

The trade unionists ask the president to reduce the budgetary contribution for political parties and to reduce parliamentary allowances and exaggerated benefits

« It is unacceptable for the budget burden to be placed on the shoulders of public employees, workers, ordinary citizens, while politicians remain unharmed. We do not agree with any reduction in the budget apparatus. An attack on any of us is an attack on all, » said Alfa Cartel.

The unionists appreciate that the tax reform provided in the PNR must be carried out under the normal conditions of the country.

« Romania has already violated the provisions of the International Labor Organization (OIM) through the full transfer of social contributions to the workers, following GEO 79/2017. Today, the contribution of workers to social expenses exceeds 50%, contrary to international standards. It is necessary to have a correct reassessment of the fiscal tasks between the capital (employers) and a work, » the press release of the trade unionists.

According to them, any conjunctural measures to reduce the deficit must have a limited duration and be supported by all categories of the company, including capital and political decision makers – those who, in essence, have created the current situation.

« To hit the net income of the workers means to create additional pressure on the economy, by decreasing the internal demand and emphasizing social vulnerabilities. Maintaining unjustified investments, such as changing borders or building unnecessary parks, does not contribute to the real economic development and should not be priority. Near the citizen and the economic relaunch by solving the energy crisis, not by perpetuating speculation on the energy market, ”the trade unionists show.

Finally, they ask President Nicuşor Dan to:

– mediate a real dialogue between the government, unions and civil society

– Publicly waxing the prioritization of social justice in the face of blind austerity

– intervene firmly against the budgetary cuts that affect the essential public services

– supports a correct fiscal reform, in accordance with international standards

« Romania can no longer go forward with facade solutions, with policies that defend privileges and sacrifice workers. There is a need for a paradigm change, and this change cannot take place without a presidency to be present, involved and brave. Mr. President, there is no time for silence. The Romanian society needs a real mediator ».