Railway workers protested again, dissatisfied with the salary arrears and the critical situation at the state-owned enterprise Moldova’s Railways (CFM). The almost 5,000 employees have not received their salaries for months, and many of them say they can no longer cope with the debts. "How can one live without a salary?", "Our children are hungry", "The fed ones don't believe the hungry ones" - these are just some of the messages written on protesters' placards, IPN reports.
The Government promises to take measures to save the CFM. Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea announced that, over four months, the state will provide diesel fuel from its reserves on a monthly basis so that the enterprise continues work. In addition, 75 million lei will be allocated for the modernization of infrastructure, and Fălciu sector will benefit from additional funding. "The payment of the outstanding salaries of CFM’s employees is the number one objective and we are working in this regard. The Government stands by the railway workers," said Minister Bolea.
For his part, the new CFM director Sergiu Cotelnic admitted that the situation is difficult, noting that the salary arrears are his priority. He promised that the outstanding salaries for at least three months will be paid in two months. "For next Monday, I arranged a meeting in which I will detail all our steps aimed at overcoming this situation," added Sergiu Cotelnic, urging the employees to stand in solidarity.
Trade unions argued that it is not enough to pay the arrears and that a clear plan for the recovery of the railway sector is needed. The president of the National Trade Unions Confederation Igor Zubcu said the discussions with the authorities continue and that a long-term solution will be insisted on.
"The railway sector is a strategic one and its development must be a national priority. We cannot talk only about the payment of salaries. We have to see what we do next with this vital area for the country," said the head of the trade unionists.
The protesters noted that they lost hope and feel abandoned. A CFM employee harshly criticized the authorities, saying that although the railway workers have always supported the government, they are now ignored. He stated that, in the past, trains ran at 100 km/h, and now they barely reach 40 km/h. "We are not guilty of anything. We just want our salaries. We are not asking for anything more, only what is due to us," said the protesting railroad worker.
"We are in the 21st century, and we gathered here to ask for a miserable salary of a few thousand lei. It's shameful!", added another CFM employee.
Other railway workers reiterated that they do not have money to live on or to send their children to kindergarten or school.
According to the Federation of Railway Workers' Trade Unions, the lack of financial resources seriously affects the entire activity of the CFM, generating logistical problems and a shortage of diesel fuel. The trade unionists requested the Government to urgently intervene to avoid the total blockage of the railway sector and asked for compensation for the losses caused by the delay in paying salaries. They warned that without concrete measures, Moldova's rail transport risks failing.
