Employees of “Railway of Moldova” again in the streets, this time backed by all national trade unions

About 1,200 people – employees of the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova” (CFM) and trade unionists of all national branches picketed today, March 11, the government headquarters. The main demand of the protesters was to be paid all salary arrears, exceeding 130 million lei with compensation for losses caused by failure to pay salary for each employee, by 31 March 2017

Other requirements are to restore the normal working time of 40 hours per week, with cancellation of technical unemployment set for Friday of each working week and salary increase, taking into account the increase of tariffs for utility services, prices for consumer goods and devaluation of the national currency.

The protest began in the Square of Chisinau Railway Station, from where demonstrators’ column moved to the front of the Government building. People chanted: “We want salary arrears paid,” “We want to live decent!”, “We want wage increase”, “Return our money!”, “Wages in time.”

According to Ion Zaporojan, president of the Trade Union Federation of Railway Workers in Moldova, problems at railway began a few years ago, and trade unions attempts to resolve them have failed.

We recall that in 2015 trade unions have reached an agreement with the management of the company, which undertook to settle the salary arrears for one year. This, however, was not respected. Following multiple protests of railway workers in Balti, Basarabeasca, Ocnita Bender Revaca and Chisinau, which took place from July to September 2016, began monthly payment of wages, but debts from previous years remained, which, according to trade unionists formed due to mismanagement of the state enterprise by the former board.

“We want to be heard and seen. For more than a year we have been trying to draw attention to our problems, but without any result. We want to return to us what is ours, nothing more. Due to problems arising from failure to pay wages, more and more railway workers resign, “said Zaporojan.

Please note that the rally was supported by all national trade union centers, members of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) in accordance with the decision of the Confederal Committee of CNSM from March 6.

Oleg Budza, CNSM president, was puzzled that employees of such an important industry for our country “stand with outstretched hand”. “I often asked the Prime Minister to establish some harsh conditions to the management of the entreprise to pay on time wages and debts to employees and ensure a constant volume of work. People should not live with the uncertainty of tomorrow. There are whole families of employees who are on debts, many employees who have reached retirement age and want to retire, but, of course, to receive everything they deserve. We will continue to support these people,” assured the trade union leader.

Demonstrators present at the protest say that the firm intentionally is brought to bankruptcy.

Iurie Topal, CFM director, says, however, that the situation is better than when he took over the Railway.

“Today the company is functional, being able to pay salaries and there is no danger of bankruptcy. We strive to pay wages on time, but there are arrears from previous years. Poor income recorded last year due to significant reduction in the flow of transported goods, brought us in this situation. Salaries are paid from current income, we do not receive funding from abroad, therefore, more than this we can not afford at the moment. Unless political factors intervene, our business depends largely on the political situation in Ukraine and Transnistria, we will be able to liquidate debts, but no sooner than 15 to 20 months. We must be realistic, this is the situation,” concluded Topală.

Protesters’ claims will be submitted to all decision makers, as well as to the company’s management.

More pictures you can find here.

Department of mass media and international relations