The protests of the Moldovan Railway (CFM) employees will continue, announced the president of the Railway Workers’ Trade Union Federation, Ion Zaporojan, during Spatiul Public (Public Space) program on Radio Moldova. According to the union leader, salary arrears have exceeded 191 million lei, and employees have not received their wages since August last year, IPN reports.
“The state must step in to pay the salaries. If the Government and Parliament do not get involved, we will do everything possible to wake them up,” stated Ion Zaporojan.
The union leader emphasized that the situation is critical and that CFM employees can no longer endure the salary delays.
“Out of 31 CFM branches, only employees from seven branches have received their salaries for August. The remaining 22 branches have not been paid since July. The total arrears amount to 191 million lei. All 4,865 employees are affected. It is a complete disaster for these people. Their fridges are empty. They have no bread. They have no means to send their children to school or university,” said the president of the Railway Workers’ Trade Union Federation.
On the other hand, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mircea Pascaruta, mentioned that the short-term solution is to capitalize on the company’s assets, including selling old locomotives, and using the proceeds to pay off outstanding salaries.
“CFM is a state-owned company. It must generate revenue and cover its expenses. The immediate solution is to reduce costs. We are also evaluating all unused assets - properties, old and worn-out locomotives - and analyzing their capitalization to generate income to cover salaries. Salaries are being paid in stages. Currently, payments for August are being made,” said the state secretary.
On February 14, a protest action was held in central Chisinau by CFM employees. The railway workers’ dissatisfaction arises from the acute financial difficulties faced by the company, and union members are demanding urgent intervention from the central authorities to overcome the crisis.
