Tuesday, February 26 was a hot day for the Romanian forestry sector. Dissatisfied foresters took to the streets, demonstrating in front of the Ministry of Environment against the controversial Emergency Ordinance 4/2025, which cuts their salaries. This government measure has sparked a wave of outrage and brought hundreds of forestry workers to the ministry.
The main reason for the protest was a pay cut of almost 25% for more than 20,000 forestry workers, including staff from the Ministry of the Environment, the National Forest Guard, forestry offices, Romsilva and the Institute for Research and Development in Forestry. This was seen as a heavy blow to employees, as many of them rely on this income to support their families.
The drastic economic measures were taken without prior consultation with the staff concerned, which has added to the discontent. The foresters believe that this decision was taken "in total disregard of the law", highlighting the lack of effective communication between the authorities and affecting the mentality of the management team. The ordinance was implemented without a simulation or social and economic impact assessment, which has created a sense of mistrust and betrayal among employees.
During the protest, Environment Minister Mircea Fechet tried to bring a dialog, but was met with boos and demands for his resignation from the protesters. This highlights the chasm that has opened up between the Fechet-led ministry and the people who feel abandoned and helpless in the face of abrupt changes.
The foresters' discontent is an echo of a deeper instability that haunts the entire public service sector in the context of economic reforms and budget adjustments that directly target them. While the government claims the measures are necessary to maintain a balanced budget, forestry employees see the situation as further evidence of a government that does not have their welfare at heart.
Tuesday's protest not only reflected the forestry workers' fight for reasonable wages and fair working conditions, but also signaled a desperate call for more transparent and accountable government. In a climate where rapid economic change has become a constant, employees are demanding not just stable jobs but genuine respect for their contribution to the vital forestry sector.
The protest at the environment ministry could be just the beginning of a series of public demonstrations unless the government reconsiders its position and starts a real dialog with those affected. Clearly, to defuse tensions and restore trust, government decisions need to be not only economically, but also socially informed, integrating the voices and concerns of those most affected by the policies. As the fate of foresters continues to hang in the balance, it remains to be seen how the executive will respond to the challenges of an increasingly vocal sector.
