Trade unions have begun collecting signatures to launch a general strike, and starting this autumn, the vast majority of the population will take to the streets as a result of price increases and austerity measures, said Bogdan Hossu, president of the National Trade Union Confederation (CNS) Cartel ALFA, on Friday at the end of the National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue meeting at the Government headquarters.

'In terms of the general strike, we have begun the process of collecting signatures. There is a procedure that we must follow as such. It is a matter of timing. Technically, those who have had their hazardous conditions bonus cut are now outraged and are taking action in the streets,' said Hossu.

According to him, the financial effects of the measures and the increase in energy prices will be seen in September.

'We believe that the peak explosion will probably occur in early September because several financial effects will pile up. One of the effects will be seen in early August, namely the increase in electricity prices, which will lead to an increase in all prices, mainly consumer prices. The second effect will be the very legislative act [on austerity measures - editor's note] that the government will take responsibility for on Monday, which will increase VAT and also lead to price increases. Taken together, the cutting of bonuses and the increase in prices, including energy prices, will lead to a decline in average purchasing power between 32% and 40%, which means that the vast majority of the population, who will bear the brunt of this impact, will take to the streets and the protests will be more violent, so to speak,' said the leader of Cartel ALFA. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Cristian Anghelache; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)