Thousands of Romanian public sector workers protested outside Government building

Thousands of Romanian public sector workers protested outside Government building

At least 12,000 workers of the Romanian public sector gathered Wednesday to rally outside the government building demanding country leaders to ensure higher wages, job stability and decent pensions.

Related:

• Public sector to keep on protesting

The Romanian union leaders called on protesters not to vote in the presidential elections scheduled for November 22 unless the authorities start taking them seriously and work on their problems.

Trade unionists expected about 20,000 people to join the protest, but gendarmes said there were only some 12,000 demonstrators and the rally ended an hour earlier, since people started leaving shortly after noon. Authorities said manifestations ended with no incidents.

The protests come at a time when Romania has pledged drastic spending cuts in the public sector following an agreement for an IMF-led financial rescue package of nearly EUR20 billion.