Several hundred policemen protest on Tuesday in quite a few cities across Romania. They haven't received the rent money for the next months and their income has been reduced by almost 20%, with three of their benefits being cut, including the benefits for loyalty and confidentiality.
The policemen in Bucharest started protesting at 10 AM in front of the Administration and Interior Ministry (MAI). But policemen are also protesting in several other cities: Alba-Iulia (Central-West), Sibiu (Central), Deva (West), Targu-Mures (North), Brasov (Central), Craiova (South), Resita (West), Ramnicu-Valcea (South), Piatra Neamt (East) and Galati (East).
Around 350 policemen, members of the Policemen Union and Borders Pro Lex are standing with the back at the MAI headquarters in Bucharest, saying that "the institution has turned its back on us", Romanian press agency Mediafax informs. They are also throwing candies in targets, saying that they cannot catch offenders in the absence of money, according to NewsIn.
The policemen in the capital brought a cardboard house to the protest. The union members placed it in front of the National Theatre, symbolising the fact that policemen will no longer be able to afford their rent. They also brought an electric bike along, saying they will run out of money for petrol.
The Union president Vasile Lincu underlined the problems policemen faced, in a Monday press conference:
12,000 police staff will be left without the rent money. Half of them work in Bucharest. This could lead to the evacuation of policemen that have been transferred for professional interest. (Policemen receive a monthly fee worth half of their income to pay their rent).
The economic crisis made MAI cancel the training courses for 1,200 staff. Plus, the police academy graduates will start their work four months la
