Union leader in Romania calls for protests over new labor code, says it legalizes slavery

Romanian Cartel Alfa union leader Bogdan Hossu said Friday changes in labor legislation allow a new form of slavery, as employers may operate collective layoffs anytime and hire new people the next day. Hossu said, after a meeting with Prime Minister Emil Boc on changes in labor legislation, that the Government has not included social partners' propositions in the Labor Code. Major trade unions will decide on Monday on the protests if the Government seeks a confidence vote over labor laws. He said the Government's proposed changes to the Labor Code create an abnormal relationship between employer and employee, as employers may operate collective layoffs anytime and hire other people the very next day, which he deemed a form of slavery. The prime minister said the Government may seek a confidence vote in Parliament to adopt new labor legislation, adding a decision will be made after talks in the Government and the ruling coalition. The latest draft of the code, obtained and presented by newswire Mediafax, eliminates all mentions of the single national collective labor contract and sets the probationary employment period at no longer than 90 calendar days, for both regular and management positions. The labor unions oppose eliminating collective work contracts from the Code, arguing that terms such as working hours, conditions and minimum wage shall be abolished and workers might end up being paid less than they are worth. Mediafax