Protest in Parliament: Japanese strike during government investiture

Parliamentary civil servants in Romania have initiated a "Japanese strike," a form of protest where employees continue their duties but deliberately slow down procedures. The action began Monday, coinciding with the investiture proceedings for the new government led by Adrian Veștea.

The protest, organized by unions representing staff in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, centers on salary levels. Employees argue that their current pay is "humiliating" and does not reflect the significance of Parliament within the state's constitutional hierarchy. They emphasize that legislative activity, parliamentary control, and external relations depend on the technical apparatus they provide.

Union representatives stated that the draft of the new unified salary law fails to address their concerns, maintaining what they describe as a "humiliating" status for parliamentary public service. The strike is set to continue throughout the investiture procedures, which are scheduled for a vote at 9:30 PM.

The civil servants are drawing attention to the critical role they play in supporting the core functions of Parliament. Their protest highlights a perceived disconnect between their responsibilities and their compensation, creating a point of tension during a crucial governmental transition.

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Parliamentary civil servants in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are on a Japanese strike, throughout the entire duration of the procedures for investing a new government, as a form of protest against the incorrect salary level in relation to the importance of Parliament in the rule of law and in relation to the attributions, responsibility, accountability, and incompatibilities established by law, applicable to the parliamentary public servant.