Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met on Tuesday at the Victoria Palace with a delegation of miners' unions from the Oltenia Energy Complex (CEO) to discuss the company's financial situation and the employees' grievances.

According to a government statement, union representatives requested the renewal of fixed-term employment contracts expiring on April 1 for 1,476 workers and on May 1 for another 317. If renewals are not possible, they asked for compensatory salary rights for those whose contracts will end.

'Personally, I understand the social situation, but I want to be fair to you and to the people you represent, and I must tell you the truth. A few years ago, Romania undertook certain commitments to the European Commission in exchange for funding. These commitments, together with the economic state of the Oltenia Energy Complex, have led to the measures we see today, included in the company's Restructuring Plan,' Prime Minister Bolojan said, according to the release.

The government notes that the measures currently being implemented stem from documents adopted in 2020 and are part of the restructuring and decarbonisation program approved at both national and EU level.

'Economically, the company ended the 2025 financial year with an estimated accounting loss of around 1 billion RON, while the cost of purchasing CO2 emission certificates - of over 2 billion RON - accounted for 38.5% of total expenses. In this context, the Reorganization, Restructuring and Financial Recovery Plan was adopted, including measures to reduce operational and personnel costs, in line with the updated calendar for decarbonising the energy sector and closing coal-based capacities. According to this plan, the renewal of fixed-term employment contracts expiring on April 1 and May 1, 2026 will not be possible, and compensatory salary rights for employees in such situations are not provided for under labor legislation,' the government explained.

The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan and Dan Plaveti, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oltenia Energy Complex.

Earlier on Tuesday, employees of the Oltenia Energy Complex protested in Victoriei Square, expressing dissatisfaction over job losses starting April 1, the lack of social protection measures for laid-off workers, and the prospect of mining operations closing in 2030 under Romania's NRRP commitments.

Although the protest was authorized until 5 p.m., the miners refused to leave the square and pushed against the fences surrounding the demonstration area, prompting the Bucharest Gendarmerie to use tear gas.

The protests began more than two weeks ago, when several dozen miners traveled to Bucharest and went on hunger strike in front of the Energy Ministry. Workers are angered that roughly 1,500 employees with fixed-term contracts will lose their jobs at the beginning of April. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)