The National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova illegally privatized state property worth hundreds of millions of lei, say former directors of trade union companies. According to them, the property is sold at low prices by a group of trade union officials headed by the Union's chairman Oleg Budza and is bought by private companies that belong to the same persons, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference held at Info-Prim Neo, Marcel Lungu, ex-director of the pension “Flora”, said several years ago the Confederation managed over 40 recreational, sport and culture organizations, but now only 20. He also said that it is practically impossible to prove that these facilities were sold illegally because all the contracts were made in accordance with the law. “However, the prices are derisory. The pension “Flora” was sold for 17 million lei and then pledged with a bank for 35 million lei,” Lungu stated. Vasile Gotonoaga, the head of the national committee of workers of tourism and recovery industry, said these facilities must be returned to the state and sold by auction. Vasile Sleagun, the head of the sports complex “Iunosti”, said the employees will not give up fighting for this complex even if they are threatened daily by the new head of the company and the trade unions that sold it. “Oleg Budza and Mihai Hancu planned to sell the complex, but did not announce an auction. It was bought by the same companies that purchased “Flora” and the hotels “Cosmos” and “Turist”,” Vasile Sleagun said. Nicolae Poleanski, the former head of the “Nistru” sanatorium in Vadul lui Voda town, said the Confederation sued the sanatorium's employees in order to force them leave. “The personnel were dismissed without the trade union's consent,” he added. The former directors of trade union companies said the representative of the companies that bought these facilities is Valerian Cristea, former deputy head of the Confederation, former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-Ambassador to the Czech Republic. According to them, 80% of the budget of the National Confederation of Trade Unions represent rental and only 20% are the dues paid by the trade union members.