The government must keep or seek priority strategic participation as sole or majority shareholder in the sectors that are key for national security and the people's welfare, representatives of the General Union of Romanian Industrialists (UGIR) argue, specifically mentioning defense, energy, subsoil resources, transportation, health care and education. "Following a careful professional evaluation, the UGIR-1903 Employers' Confederation found that the recent measures adopted through the so-called 'chain-effect ordinance' aimed at producing short-term budgetary increases by the sale of assets from strategic areas will generate no medium and long term improvement and/or correction of the current financial imbalances. On the contrary, UGIR-1903 considers that its application in a manner that is nothing short of 'chaotic' - because this act was promoted in absence of an appropriate regulatory framework - will result in Romania's exposure to long-term risks, such as the diminution of response capacities in the event of critical national emergency situations, shrinking budget revenues, a rise in unemployment, the need to implement social and economic policies to support the citizens etc.," a statement issued on Saturday mentions.
UGIR expresses its concern at the potential risks that may arise nationwide from the current tendency of resorting to privatization deals as a source of income to the national budget.
UGIR representatives request the government to initiate constructive discussions in order to overcome the current social and economic situation, inviting representatives of employers, trade unions and civil society to debates in order to jointly develop the correct measures required for the realistic and prudent approach and management of the critical situation caused by the country's huge budget deficit and prevent its impact on wages and pensions, as well as on the increase in the unemployment rate."Firm regulatory criteria need to be set in place regarding the privatization options for government-managed assets that are the property of the Romanian People, policies to support the private sector, as well as the policies and terms for engaging in foreign loans must be laid out," the organization's representatives argue, cautioning against loans that would only burden the country with more debt.
Before making a final decision to accept or reject these solutions, the current government "must proceed to a professional evaluation, through a conscious political approach, of the possible Yes or No options regarding the privatization of such economic assets or national riches sitting in the land or marine subsoil, which are under the administration of the Romanian State, through the government, acting as representative of the sole real shareholder - the Romanian People!"