Trade unionists ask inspecting Confederation of Trade Unions

Representatives of bodies of workers addressed an open letter to the Head of Parliament and Acting President Mihai Ghimpu and Prime Minister Vlad Filat, asking that they order an inquiry into the transactions with the property of the trade unions performed by the National Confederation of Trade Unions the last few years. The letter was published in the weekly “Literatura si Arta” on February 18, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the signatories, a large part of the property that includes over 70 hotels, sanatoriums, education institutions, administrative and sociocultural buildings was sold or leased our at derisory prices. In 2008, 74% of the Confederation's revenues represented incomes from the sale or leasing out of the property. This shows that the organization turned into a commercial one that pursues personal interests. This is confirmed by the salaries of 13,000-18,000 lei a month received by its leaders, who manage to hold several posts simultaneously. The organization's president Oleg Budza in 2007, while vice president, had three jobs, while in 2006 he worked in five trade union institutions. The authors also said that during 10-15 years the Confederation destroyed and sold property that did not belong to it, but to the sectoral trade unions and their members. Among the institutions that went bankrupt or were sold they mentioned the bank Bancosind, the trust Dividend, the insurance company Assind, the construction companies Kishiniovkurortstroi and Moldkurortstroi etc. The Cosmos Hotel and the only children's sanatorium Speranta in Sergheevka town were sold at very low prices. There were also sold four other sanatoriums as well as sports complexes. The representatives of bodies of workers ask the authorities to intervene and investigate the illegalities committed by the former and present administration of the National Confederation of Trade Unions so as to allow the trade unions to manage the property themselves.