Protesters in Bucharest May 19, 2010 (Photo by Hotnews.ro)

The country's major trade union confederations organised the protest, arguing that the austerity measures unveiled by the authorities are unacceptable.

The protesters, who are blowing whistles and shouting anti-government slogans, say that the country's leaders are burdening only the poorest social groups with their solutions for bringing the country out of the ongoing crisis.

The unionists argue that the government has refused to change its governing style and has not proposed any solutions that the protesters believe would help Romania emerge from the crisis without targeting the country's most vulnerable citizens.

Earlier this month, the Romanian government announced that it will cut wages and pensions in the public sector later this year to achieve its 2010 deficit target and comply with an IMF-led rescue deal.

Starting from June 1, state sector wages will be cut by 25 per cent and all salaries, including the minimum wage, will be affected. Jobless benefits and pensions will be cut by 15 per cent.

Recession-hit Romania, which is relying on a €20 billion IMF-led loan, has pledged drastic public spending cuts to rein in its deficit, which this year stands at 6.8 per cent, and restart its economy, which continued to
contract in the first quarter.

The IMF recently cut its forecast for economic growth in Romania to 0.8 per cent for this year, as the emerging economy still reels from a painful 7.1 per cent contraction in 2009.

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/28187/