Military pensioners march the streets
Busy day in Romania, where the protest of pensioners mixed with the festive events organized to commemorate 152 years since the unification of Moldova with Wallachia.
25 Ianuarie 2011, 10:37
The first to hit the streets in several counties were the military retirees, who are unhappy that the Government is determined to continue the process of recalculation of pensions, which was temporarily suspended due to a court decision.
The pensioner`s trade unions have mobilized people to marches and pickets, actions that they say will continue in the coming weeks.
In Bucharest, over 2,000 demonstrators started off from the George Enescu Square towards the Ministry of Interior, the Romanian Service of Information, the Ministry of National Defence and the Presidency.
The representatives of protestors submitted to each institution a document in which they asked to receive their entire pension, plus the difference for the amount received for the month on January.
The President of the trade union of military employees dismissed in reserve and retreat, Mircea Dogaru, stated that they would take all the necessary steps to ensure that military retirees receive the money they lost from pension recalculation.
`We want to show the whole country that we exist, that we are taking our military role seriously, as defenders of the constitutional democracy. We will act legally in court, here and abroad, until we achieve victory, until the ones guilty receive what they deserve`, Mircea Dogaru declares.
Military people in the country protested against pension recalculation
The retired military cadres protested in several cities in the country, being dissatisfied with the way in which their pensions were recalculated.
In Cluj, about 300 people picketed the Prefecture, chanting anti-government and anti-presidency slogans, being dissatisfied with the reduction of military pensions
In Hunedoara, also, over 150 pensioners picketed the Prefecture.
The protest all over the country ended without any incident, and trade union leaders stated that if the issue with the pensions is not solved, on March 1 they will march the streets in greater numbers.
The Supreme Court decided to suspend military pension recalculation
Recently, the High Court of Cassation and Justice of Romania, decided to permanently suspend the government decision on military pensions recalculation.
Subsequently, President Traian Băsescu, announced that the process of recalculation in being suspended.
The Head of the state pointed out that the already recalculated pensions, which were also communicated to pensioners, will remain valid and will not be recalculated again.
Minister of Defence Gabriel Oprea stated that military pensions below 3,000 lei for full career have increased after recalculation.
Translated by: Manuela Stancu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University
