Romania is officially in the general strikes' month. Elsewhere in the news, there are other decisions aimed to get the IMF's next instalment which have not been listed in the intention letter. Last but not least, Romanians' biggest problem is that they leave everything for the last moment, Jonathan Scheele opinionated.
Romania is officially in the general strikes' month, Evenimentul Zilei reads. Following the pensioners, the state employees threaten to press the presidency and the government with protests until the end of the month, when they could declare general strike. Starting today, union members will rally the Government and the Cotroceni Palace for a week.
Street unrest will peak on May 19, when 40,000 people are expected to take part in the protest from Piata Victoriei, showing their anger over the austerity measures. Mothers on child care benefits expecting cuts might join the protests next week, bringing their babies along. Teachers announced general strike to begin from May 31.
On top of these, National Railway (CFR) workers will also show their bitterness over the 25% salary cut. The same reason might convince public transport staff from Metrorex and RATB to join the movement, which might block Bucharest. Teachers will not grade students in the registrar and will refuse to take part in the national tests and the baccalaureate to come, in an attempt to change the government's attitude. Students risk repeating the academic year.
Adevarul reads about other decisions aimed to get the IMF's next instalment which have not been listed in the intention letter. Among them, the cutting of the 13th salary; the rationalisation of the number of schools, cutting the number of hospital beds by 9,200 and shutting down at least 150 hospitals.
Other austerity measures: a limit for the salary fund of up to 39 billio
