The Romanian Government and IMF representatives black-listed the companies which owe money to the state. Elsewhere in the news, Romania will have to pay 31 billion euros worth of public debt over the next five years. Last but not least, children and pregnant women will be vaccinated against swine flu only next year because there hasn't been sufficient time to test the jab.
The Romanian Government and IMF representatives put together a black list of the companies owing the state money and which continue to operate inefficiently despite state subventions, Romania Libera informs. Many of them will be disconnected from the state budget. The tube in Bucharest, transporting around 750,000 daily, might be closed for good. The Railway Companies (CFR) for Passengers and for Infrastructure and the Coal National Company are the only ones to receive further subventions.
The sum for all the companies having to pay the state back amounted to a total of 1.5 billion euros in September. The IMF not only asks for cutting subventions in 2010, but also for reducing staff and for restructuring, so that spendings do not exceed incomes. State secretary in the Economy Ministry Tudor Serban explains that the concept of "subvention" is inexistent in IMF's policy.
The Coal NC will continue to receive state subventions, despite having the biggest debt - 843 million euros and receiving 65 million euros worth of subventions. But the Romanian state will have to give the company 14% less next year and nothing in 2011.
Metrorex union members are surprised of the decision to stop subventions going to the underground, since the tube state company is not even in the Top 10 of the black list. Lacking subventions might force the tube company to increase prices five-folded or shut down. On the other hand, CFR Goods say the company never received subventions a
