Bogdan Tudorache

Vital sectors of the Romanian economy can be completely overturned by a legislative package hastily adopted by the Romanian Parliament, without a dialogue with the Government, the regulators, employers and unions, say the members of the Concordia confederation. They claim that the legislative initiatives that are on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies tomorrow were adopted by the Senate within 24 hours, without consultation or analysis.

Measures such as delaying payments to utilities “must be taken following a minimum analysis, otherwise a temporary aid can turn into a prolonged crisis in years for all of us, consumers and producers alike”.

Many of the legislative initiatives that will be on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies tomorrow, including the deferral of payments to utilities and telecommunications companies, ”were adopted by the Senate within 24 hours, although they heavily regulate areas essential to the lives of citizens and consumers: utilities, telecommunications, food, medicines, rents and credits. The combined result of all these initiatives can create distortions so great in the national economy that it will cease to function as a free economy,” the Confederation officials say.

Concordia warns that these measures can have significant negative effects for critical sectors of the economy and have the potential to destabilize food security, security of energy supply and telecommunications, as well as the stability of financial institutions.

“Delaying the payment of telecommunications utilities and services can have a significant impact on these industries and those that depend on them. The amount of deferred utility and telecommunications bills amounts to several hundred million euro and these industries are unable to bear this cost without state support. Ensuring the supply of electricity and telecommunication services is essential at all times, but especially during this period.”