The four major trade union confederations are protesting on Wednesday in Piața Victoriei: “We no longer accept to be victims of a system that promotes austerity”

The major trade union confederations are organizing, on Wednesday, a large protest in Bucharest, the trade unionists are going to gather in front of the Government. The trade unionists criticize the austerity measures taken by the Government and demand an increase in the minimum wage and pensions, a fair taxation and the protection of jobs, reports News.ro.

“The National Trade Union Confederation “Cartel ALFA”, CNSLR-Frătia, CSDR and the Meridian National Trade Union Confederation announce the organization of a protest action in front of the Government of Romania, on October 29, 2025, as a result of the major social and economic problems faced by the citizens of Romania. We call for the collective mobilization of all workers, students, pensioners, young people and all those who no longer accept injustice, inequity and contempt for honest work”, the trade union confederations sent in a press release.

The trade unionists appreciate that it is the moment to make their demands and ask for “concrete, fair and immediate measures to protect workers and fundamental rights”.

“We will take to the streets to show that we no longer accept to be victims of a system that promotes austerity, incompetence and the lack of responsibility of those in charge,” the trade unionists said.

The protest will take place, on Wednesday, in front of the Government, between 10:00 and 14:00.

The program of the protest and traffic restrictions

According to information from the Police, on October 29 this year, between 07:30 and 16:00, a public meeting will be organized according to the following schedule:

• – between 07.30-09.30, the gathering of participants in Piaţa Victoriei – the central alveolus;
• – between the hours of 09.30-15.00, the holding of the public meeting in Piaţa Victoriei – central alveola;
• – between 15.00-16.00, the total discharge of the participants

“Depending on the number of participants, the Road Brigade will adopt measures to restrict dynamic road traffic, and starting at 08.30, road traffic will be restricted in Piaţa Victoriei, by ensuring two-way road traffic in front of the Government of Romania, between Bd. Arch. Ion Mincu str. and Piaţa Victoriei”, the Road Brigade of the Capital reported.

The crossing of the participants will be carried out exclusively under the guidance of the traffic police.

What the trade union confederations demand

• Increase the minimum wage and pensions so that no worker and no pensioner lives below the poverty line. “Romania has the highest rate of poor workers in the European Union – 19% of employees work, but remain in poverty. The minimum basket for a decent living of 4,322 lei exceeds the current net minimum wage by more than 50%”, the trade unionists say.
• Respecting the legal and contractual rights of employees. We demand the resumption of collective negotiations at all levels and the conclusion of the Collective Labor Agreement at the National Level, for the real protection of workers.
• A fair charge. We request the correction of the imbalance created by GEO 79/2017, which transferred social contributions exclusively to the shoulders of employees.
• Ending austerity measures applied only to the vulnerable. “Austerity, if necessary, must be applied to companies and political parties, not just to the population,” the trade unionists said.
• Protecting jobs and investing in the economy, not layoffs. “We are opposed to staff reductions in the administration and salary cuts. The urgent payment of final court sentences”, the trade unionists say.
• Health and Social Assistance. We demand the application of the wage law / the indexation of wages with inflation, the granting of all increments calculated according to the basic salary in payment. We demand the unblocking of health and social assistance positions and the continuation of investments through PNRR and national programs.
• Education: We request the repeal of the measures from Law no. 141/2025 which increased the didactic norm, merged schools and reduced teachers' incomes. We request the abandonment of the measures taken by the Government regarding the settlement of transport expenses and student scholarships;
• Defence, Public Order and National Security – PREDICTABILITY in salary, career and retirement for police, military and contract personnel
• Affordable energy and secure jobs. We demand the regulation of the energy market to protect the competitiveness of the economy and preserve jobs in the industry.
• Consolidation of the forestry sector in Romania and not its destruction Stop the legislative projects that undermine the administration of the state's forests and the national interest.
• Stop the sale of state companies. We request investments and efficient administration, not the alienation of public patrimony.
• Restoring the railway infrastructure and replacing old trains with new ones. Over 70% of the railway network is in a critical state.
• Decent and fair pensions. We request the application of increases and the indexation of pensions according to the law. “We appeal to the solidarity of all employees in the economy, administration, education, health, police, transport, energy, agriculture, forestry, the Romanian Water Administration, culture and services, as well as pensioners and young people, to support the rights of those who work honestly”, is the message sent by the trade union federations.