Social stability is an essential condition for economic recovery, and it cannot exist in the presence of people who can barely afford to live decently from one month to the next, warns the National Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Romania – Brotherhood, which accuses the Romanian Government of systematically transferring the costs of the energy crisis onto the population, in the absence of real social and economic protection measures.
According to a press release, CNSLR Frăția warns that the accelerated increase in fuel and energy prices severely affects the living standards of employees and pensioners and creates the premises for a major social crisis.
„Through inaction, lack of social dialogue, and the promotion of incoherent fiscal policies, the Government is violating its fundamental obligations to protect citizens and ensure economic stability. We emphasize that invoking the international context does not exempt the state from responsibility. On the contrary, in such situations, public intervention is essential to limit negative effects on the population. Romania, despite being a petroleum-producing state, allows prices comparable to those in import-dependent countries to be maintained, which indicates major dysfunctions in public policies and regulatory mechanisms.”, the statement shows, according to Agerpres.
CNSLR – The Brotherhood requests that the Government avoid additional taxation in the oil sector and adopt sustainable economic measures. Unionists state that additional taxation applied to the exploration and production (E&P) segment will directly hit the engine of the oil industry.
„These measures affect the ability to deliver Romanian oil to the market, block essential medium and long-term investments, reducing domestic production, and forcing an increase in import dependency. In economic and social terms, the negative effects will be felt through: reduced activity in the sector, hiring freezes, layoffs, and economic stagnation in related industries. We welcome the initiative to establish a government-level working group, as well as discussions on reducing fuel excise duties. However, we emphasize the need for urgent and rapidly applicable measures, given that fuel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, and the effects are already being felt throughout the economy.”, they spun.
The trade union organization also warns that the current government policies risk conflicting with the principles and objectives Romania has assumed at the European Union level, including with regard to consumer protection and living standards, ensuring a just energy transition, maintaining economic competitiveness, as well as guaranteeing social cohesion.
Meanwhile, the effects are already visible: a decrease in purchasing power, cascading price increases, and economic pressure on society as a whole.
„The CNSLR – Frăția Confederation reaffirms its willingness to participate in the consultations announced by the Government and to contribute to identifying balanced solutions. What we cannot accept is for Romanian employees to be, once again, the last to be supported and the first to bear the costs. Social stability is an essential condition for economic recovery. And this cannot exist in the absence of people who can barely afford to live decently from one month to the next.”transmits CNSLR Frăția.