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08. 03. 10. - 17:00

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08. 03. 10. - 17:00

US builder Bechtel to lay off 1,900

Romanian Times

US construction company Bechtel announced today (Mon) that it would lay off 1,900 employees, starting in April.

Unions said they would protest the decision, which the company blamed on the Romanian government's failure to pay debts arising from work on the Transylvania Motorway.

The unions are angered by the US firm’s intention to keep only 300 employees for the Campia-Turzii-Turda sector of the motorway.

Bechtel said last month that 1,933 employees working on the Transylvania Motorway would be laid off since roads administrator CNADNR failed to pay 214 million Euros for the work.

Bechtel finished the first 42 kilometres of the motorway, the Turda-Gilau sector, on 1 December, 2009.

Prime Minister Emil Boc said recently the government would propose to Bechtel that certain sectors of the motorway be completed based on a public-private partnership, a system the government plans to use for all major infrastructure projects.

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).

Rising handbal player hangs herself because of family quarels
A rising star of the Romanian handball was found hanged on Sunday (yesterday) in her family apartment in Drobeta Turnu Severin (South West), Romania TV news channel informs today.

Triumphant welcome in Bucharest for the national gymnastic team
The national team of gymnasts returned home today at noon from the European Championship held on Saturday and Sunday in Brussels, and was welcomed by a numerous crowd at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest.

Sorin Oprescu to win in a landslide, poll suggests
An opinion poll released today (Mon) makes the current Mayor Sorin Oprescu favourite for the Bucharest municipal elections, Realitatea TV news channel informs.