Pîslaru, following the DIICOT operation in Bihor: The state has failed to protect vulnerable individuals

The interim Minister of Labour, Dragoș Pîslaru, stated that justice must be served neither on television nor on social media, emphasising that, until a final court ruling is issued, Viorel Pașca must be considered a person of good faith who, for nearly two decades, provided shelter to thousands of people in need.

The minister also noted that Pașca's activity had been carried out outside the legal framework governing social care, without the involvement of qualified specialists — a fact that had been known over the years even by state institutions. Pîslaru pointed out that, although the activity was unlawful, numerous vulnerable individuals had been referred to these care homes by public institutions themselves, and inspections carried out over the years had resulted neither in regularisation nor in the cessation of operations. Out of respect for the judicial process, the minister stated that he would not make any further comments for the time being regarding the activities of either Pașca or the institutions involved.

The Ministry of Labour notified only after the operation had begun

Referring to the DIICOT operation of 30 June, Pîslaru said that the Ministry of Labour had not been informed in advance, despite the operation involving the evacuation of over 400 vulnerable individuals. The minister was not contacted until 09:30 on the day in question, by which point the operation was already under way, and was asked to find urgent solutions for relocation.

Crisis unit and inter-institutional coordination

Pîslaru stated that he immediately initiated inter-institutional coordination, contacting the chief prosecutor, the Bihor authorities, the leadership of the DGASPC, the county prefect, the President of the County Council, and Secretary of State Raed Arafat. A crisis unit was established within the Ministry of Labour, and social care institutions across 20 counties were mobilised. The relocation process took nearly 24 hours of continuous activity.

409 people relocated across 20 counties

According to the minister, all 409 individuals evacuated from Bihor are being monitored: 394 are now housed in social care centres across 20 counties, whilst 15 have been admitted to hospital. Of these, 149 have a recognised disability, 212 are elderly — some aged up to 93 — and 11 have no identity documents, with authorities working to clarify and reissue the necessary paperwork.

Pîslaru announced that a state of emergency had been declared by decision of the CNSU and that, together with the Ministry of Development, a government decree had been initiated to provide additional funding to the counties concerned, so that the costs of caring for the relocated individuals would be covered through to the end of 2026. An operational team has also been established within the ministry, with designated county coordinators appointed within the relevant DGASPCs.

Telephone helpline for families

A call centre for relatives has been set up, with 40 calls recorded to date. According to the minister, although families requested information, none expressed willingness to take in the relocated individuals.

On the same evening, the Minister of Labour announced the death of a relocated individual in Mureș county — a 55-year-old man. According to Pîslaru, the person had been stable following relocation, had been of sound mind, and had not been identified as having any disabilities or urgent medical conditions; the cause of death is yet to be determined by the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

The minister stated that this case highlights the Romanian state's inability, in many instances, to protect vulnerable individuals, and stressed the need for systemic solutions to prevent such situations from recurring. He assured the public that, despite holding an interim mandate, he would continue to carry out his duties with professionalism, honesty, and respect for citizens.