The trade unionists from Damen Mangalia, again in the street: “The situation reached a critical point”

The employees of the Damen Mangalia shipyard went out again. On Wednesday, between 11.30 and 15.30, they protest in front of the Ministry of Economy, accusing the lack of a strategy and a coherent plan of recovery of the site, on the verge of collapse. The trade unionists warn that the carelessness of the authorities endangers not only the future of the site, but also the social and economic life of the whole city of Mangalia.

The employees of the Damen Mangalia shipyard protest in front of the Ministry of Economy: Damen

The free trade union (SLN) said that people can no longer bear the uncertainty that lasts for more than a year.

“The situation has reached a critical point: each day that passes without making decisions by the shareholders of the DSMA company, including the representatives of the Romanian state as a majority shareholder, as well as without a political decision to unlock the situation and resolve the crisis, reduce the chances of recovery of the site, near collapse. Employees can no longer bear this ordeal that lasts over a year, and the situation is desperate ”the trade unionists said.

Authorities accused of indifference

The protesters claim that their repeated calls to the Presidential Administration, Government, CSAT and relevant ministries have remained unanswered.

“The authorities do not communicate what intentions have with the largest naval site in Romania, a strategic objective that does not seem to be of national interest. In the absence of official information and assumed by decision -makers, there is that there is no strategy or a concrete and coherent plan of recovery … only ignorance, carelessness and indifference.”, SLN representatives said.

A labor force on the verge of extinction

The number of employees decreases dramatically, say trade unionists, and people go to other jobs.

“We cannot assist in the collapse of the site and losing force: The number of employees gradually decreases below 1,000, once they worked 10 times more than now. The city is sad because people are sad because of the uncertainties and concerns about their future and the site. We cannot tolerate all this, we must react! We protest!”, The trade unionists said.

Delayed salaries and huge arrears

Another reason for the protest is the integral non -payment of salaries. Although employees were promised that from August they will receive their outstanding rights, this has not happened.

“We protest because the situation at the Damen Mangalia shipyard is critical and dramatic. People have arrived in desperate situations, work in difficult conditions and are paid only partially. They were promised that, starting with August 2025, the outstanding wage rights will be paid, but this is delayed from one month to another ”SLN representatives said.

The ITM Constanta inspectors performed several controls and ordered mandatory measures to pay the salaries, but the DSMA company, insolvency, challenges the decisions in the court.

The salary arrears exceed 17 million lei, and the receivables registered in the official table pass 4 million lei. In addition, the debts to the state budget are over 83 million lei, and the current ones amount to about 32 million euros.

Total uncertainty about the future of the site

The unionists say that there are investors interested in taking over the site, but the Romanian state does not communicate at what stage the negotiations are.

“The representatives of the Romanian state do not communicate what is the stage of the negotiations regarding the termination of the association contract with Damen, to take the actions and to collaborate with the interested investor. Lack of official information creates uncertainty and concern and community”, SLN representatives also transmitted.

A new alarm signal

Wednesday's protest comes after other similar events in front of the Ministry of Economy. The trade unionists again point out that, without a rapid intervention of the authorities, the site Damen Mangalia risks to close their gates, with devastating effects for the entire local community.