SANITAS Announces General Strike on 28 July: Hospitals to Lose Thousands of Beds and Tens of Thousands of Positions

The SANITAS Federation has announced that it will launch a general strike on 28 July, explaining that the protest is not a show of force, but a response to a series of government measures considered dangerous to the functioning of public hospitals in Romania.

The trade unionists' primary grievance relates to recent decisions by the Bolojan Government, particularly Government Decision HG 360/2026, which provides for a reduction of 14,000 hospital beds by 2028. According to SANITAS, the effects are already being felt: this year alone, the number of inpatient beds has fallen by 4,691 compared to the previous year.

Pay legislation blocked in court

Another source of tension is the draft public sector pay law, which trade unions believe could reduce the income of more than half of all employees in health and social care. SANITAS has, however, succeeded in obtaining a temporary court injunction blocking the approval process for this draft legislation.

Trade unionists also cite the ongoing freeze on recruitment, against a backdrop of an ever-growing shortage of medical staff. Whereas at the end of 2025 the staffing shortfall was estimated at 25,000 posts, it has now exceeded 30,000. Employee representatives accuse the Government of responding too slowly and inadequately, citing as an example the unblocking of just 22 posts at "Marie Curie" Hospital in Bucharest — a decision taken only after a tragedy had already occurred.

"On 28 July, we are not striking against patients, nor against the hospitals where we work. We are striking so that these hospitals still have people to work in them. We are striking to defend the public healthcare system. WE ARE STRIKING BECAUSE WE HAVE REACHED OUR LIMIT!", SANITAS representatives stated.