Norway budgets EUR 1.1 million for trade union cooperation program in Romania

A Norway – funded program for better cooperation between employers, trade unions and Romanian authorities kicked off in the country, with a budget of EUR 1.1 million. The Norwegian Embassy to Romania, the European Affairs Ministry and the Innovation Norway Agency opened submissions for eligible candidates, which can apply until April 22 this year. “There were some national anti-corruption cases against union leaders and one of them was sentenced to jail. The media focused on other union leaders too. We are not saying this reflects the entire union movement, but it creates a negative image for Romania abroad and triggers questions. Norwegian authorities and trade unions have a zero tolerance on corruption,” said Oystein Hovdkinn, the Norwegian Minister to Bucharest. Norway has higher union membership than Romania and over half their members are women. Overall, trade unions have a stronger voice in Norway than in Romania. The program is part of the broader Norwegian Financial Mechanism, which allotted EUR 115.2 million for Romania up until 2014. The main trade unions in Romania are CNSLR Fratia, BNS, Cartel Alfa. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: CNSLR Fratia)