Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan received at the headquarters of the institution he leads representatives of the Oltenia Energy Complex employees who have fixed-term employment contracts.
“Today, I received at the Ministry of Energy the representatives of the employees of the Oltenia Energy Complex who have fixed-term employment contracts. We have always responded to requests for dialogue and held discussions at both ministerial and governmental levels. When it came to people’s rights, I intervened. We obtained the adoption of the Memorandum by which CEO employees were exempted from the application of the provisions of Law no. 296/2023, so that meal vouchers would be maintained for all employees. This is the first exception granted to a state-owned company in such a situation. Any decision that contradicts what is established by this memorandum violates the adopted legal framework. At the same time, it must be said very clearly: the CEO restructuring plan was approved in 2022,” Bogdan Ivan wrote on his Facebook page.
He mentioned that, ever since then, employee representatives have been involved in the negotiations and have had full access to the relevant information.
“The restructuring plan was requested and agreed by the trade unions and employee representatives, and was then submitted to the European Commission for approval. I highlight these things because the reorganization stages are not a last-minute change, but elements established for almost 4 years. The Ministry of Energy has the responsibility to negotiate with the European institutions the framework in which Romania can exploit its energy resources and to support policies that protect energy security and jobs. However, operational decisions regarding hiring or termination of employment contracts are the responsibility of the company’s executive management. I know that behind each contract, whether fixed or indefinite, there are people and families. I wanted to have this face-to-face discussion for this very reason. My door remains open for dialogue, and solutions must be found within the existing legal framework and with responsibility for Romania’s energy future”, Bogdan Ivan also stated.
The National Federation of Electricity Trade Unions “Univers”, affiliated with the National Trade Union Bloc, requested, on Wednesday, the Government to protect the jobs of miners and energy workers from the Oltenia Energy Complex (CEO), who have been protesting for several days, some of whom have gone on hunger strike.