“IT brought the country out of the mud. If it wasn't there, even now people would travel around Cluj in a carriage.” The satirical message of an IT-ist heated up the spirits
The satirical message of an IT-ist caused a wave of reactions online. He says that “IT-ists have pulled the country out of the mud”, but they have become “everyone's laughing stock”. Numerous IT workers spoke about how this sector matters in Romania's economy.
The IT industry plays an important role in Romania's economy. Source: Freepik.com
The contribution of the field of Information Technology (IT) to the Romanian economy has become increasingly important in recent years.
“The IT&C sector represents an essential pillar of the Romanian economy. With over 250,000 professionals, a contribution of approximately 7 percent of GDP and service exports exceeding 10 billion euros annually, the Romanian tech industry is an example of dynamism, competence and entrepreneurial spirit”, informs, in April 2025, the Presidential Administration, in a message sent by the current Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan (at that time acting president).
“IT pulled the country out of the mud”
Hundreds of Romanians reacted to a message published on social networks by a programmer who drew attention, in a satirical way, to the situation in the IT field.
“IT brought the country out of the mud, and now we are everyone's laughingstock. If it wasn't for IT, even now, on the boulevards of Clooj-Napoca, you would drive around in a carriage. This whole industry brought money to the country and helped its development. If it weren't for the IT people in 2014, with money, who would tip 50 lei on the terrace? If it weren't for the IT people, who were the electric cars sold to? started? And so, and so… It all started with the money vacuum called IT.” he says, on the Reddit platform.
However, the programmer is of the opinion that, currently, workers in this field are abandoned by the state, society and the business environment.
“Today? We are everyone's laughing stock. Seniors receive embarrassing offers, like 150 million in hand, in the context in which a senior took 100 million in Bucharest in 2014. We raised the country from the mud, but I solemnly promise you that if someone is going to bring it back to the mud, it will also be the IT-ists”. concluded the author of the message, published on a group dedicated to programmers.
The satirical message, complete with jokes
Many Romanians were amused by the message published by the programmer and joked about it. One of them stated that IT workers also deserve special pensions for their contribution to Romania's economy.
“I don't know what we'd do without IT people. In fact, I don't know how society could survive for so many thousands of years without them.” someone else added.
“Manielists and videochat players have been giving 100 lei as a tip since 2014”jokes another netizen.
Another commenter came up with a classic programmer joke: “When God created the Earth, he first said, 'Hello, world!'”
Another Romanian, however, believes that the merit of programmers in the Romanian economy is overrated: “I say that the country rose on videochatists, not on IT-ists”, he joked.
Another user believes that IT programming is a job like any other, but that it was the first in Romania to pay salaries comparable to those in the West.
“If it wasn't for the IT people, who would have bought new apartments? Without the buyers, why would the 'tricksters' have built blocks? Where would the 'wannabes' have put the tiles? Who would the banks have given 30-year loans? Who would the electrician have done the electrical installation? For all this you need a catalyst with money coming from outside, so that the rest will rise as well”he says.
Another programmer claims, for his part, that just as Romanians from the diaspora sent money to the country, IT workers also brought important sums to Romania's economy.
“The IT-ists also had a bad influence, of course. Their big 'fault' was that, having money, they threw it away instead of being thoughtful. That's how we ended up with astronomical prices for houses, apartments and land. But, for those who hate the IT-ists, please look for clips of Romania from the early 90s, to see what this country looked like and how it looks now.” he states.
Another programmer says that while IT people don't need statues, they shouldn't be blamed by society just because they have higher incomes.
“If I earn 10-15,000 lei, after 10 years of experience, many years of study and with physical (aging metabolism) and mental sacrifices (12-15 hours with eyes on the monitor), and a Dorel lays tiles, taught by an uncle in two weeks, and reaches the same income or even exceeds it if he gets a good job, it is clear that something is not in balance”, he concluded.
The IT-ist's message also sparked “rights of reply”
However, some Romanians believe that the salaries offered in the IT industry should not be a reason for dissatisfaction, 15,000 lei a month being a decent income, with which a Romanian can support his family, buy an apartment in installments and afford a vacation.
“If 3,000 euros net is a joke, you offend 90% of the country. The work you do helps you, first of all. You didn't put anyone out of misery. You also worked, like thousands of other people from as many social categories.” says another netizen.
Others believe that the only real effect of IT workers has been to increase consumption, with too few of them investing in businesses or communities.
“If the garbage men and the maids get pissed off as well, you're going to literally be swimming in filth and garbage. Or if the electricians go on strike, what else are you programming, putting wood on your PC? I bet you don't even know how to change a light bulb in the house.” sent to him by another internet user.
