Employees at Dacia car factory indirectly touched by sanctions against Russia

The employees of the largest Romanian car factory Dacia, part of the Renault group, have expressed their discontent with their incomes eroded by the rising energy prices and asked for Government’s support. They will partake in the demonstration organized by the trade federation BNS (Blocul National Sindical) in front of the Government on April 6.

The employees’ unrest was seemingly aggravated by the group’s decision to cease operations in Russia, which resulted in disruptions at the Romanian plant. The local management of the company apparently joined Government’s actions against Russia voluntarily.

“Dacia was one of the first representatives of the automotive industry to respond to the invitation of the Ministry of Economy in the task force organized at the central authority level following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, implicitly imposing sanctions on Russia,” minister of economy Florin Spataru commented during a visit to the car plant, local Adevarul reported.

Minister Spataru visited the plant on April 5, when the employees expressed their discontent.

The Dacia factory in Romania, owned by Renault, was visibly impacted by the war in Ukraine as it used to produce parts for the two plants owned in Russia by the same French automobile group - one under its own brand and the other under the Lada brand. Some units of the Romanian factory had to reduce their activity in relation to the sanctions.

Minister Spataru assured that he approached the labour Ministry for providing support to companies hurt by the sanctions, including through the Kurzarbeit scheme.

(Photo source: Facebook/Florin Spataru)