Social care staff in Cluj protest against the new pay legislation

Social care staff in Cluj County have announced a 24-hour Japanese strike in protest against the controversial provisions of the new public sector pay legislation.

Employees of the Cluj General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection believe that the new legislation fails to reflect the complex reality of their daily work and does not acknowledge the efforts made in caring for the most vulnerable members of society.

The staff's main grievances concern salary levels considered inequitable relative to the responsibilities and stress inherent in this field. Trade unionists are also contesting the reduction of allowances that partially compensated for the demanding nature of social care work.

This situation directly affects the quality of services provided to elderly people and vulnerable individuals who depend on the care and support of these professionals. Social care staff play an essential role in maintaining the wellbeing of older people in institutional settings as well as those receiving home-based services.

The protest highlights the systemic issues within the social care sector, where insufficient funding and a lack of professional recognition risk compromising the quality of care provided to elderly and dependent people within the community.