Sanitas Threatens Strike Over New Salary Bill

The Sanitas Federation has issued a stern warning to the Romanian government, threatening to resume strikes in the healthcare and social assistance sectors if a controversial salary bill is not withdrawn. The bill, which proposes capping bonuses at 20%, has been criticized by Sanitas for lacking a clear application mechanism. According to Sanitas, the bill could lead to reduced incomes and destabilize important public services.

Sanitas President Iulian Pope stated, "This variant is significantly weaker than previous versions," highlighting the union's dissatisfaction with the proposed changes. The federation argues that the 20% cap on bonuses fails to account for the challenging and hazardous conditions faced by healthcare and social assistance workers.

Union leaders have also expressed concerns that the bill does not address historical inequities in the sector. They warn that political decisions could create income uncertainty for workers. As a result, Sanitas is urging parliamentary parties to reject the bill and is demanding that their claims be resolved through dialogue before any voting takes place.

The Ministry of Labor, however, has shown support for the current version of the bill, despite the union's objections. Sanitas has reminded the government that a previous strike was only suspended temporarily, and they are prepared to initiate a new strike if the bill passes unchanged. Such a strike could severely disrupt hospital operations and social assistance centers across the country.