Several employees of the Oltenia Energy Complex have admitted to investigators that they paid sums of money to extend their work contracts.
The revelations come in the context of the dismissal of approximately 1,500 employees, which has brought attention to the way positions were filled within the company, according to Antena3.
Old denunciations brought back into the spotlight
The self-denunciations were made four years ago. Employees, hired on fixed-term contracts renewed every six months, allegedly paid for the promise of permanent employment relationships.
The wave of layoffs that came into effect on April 1 has increased public pressure and brought the case back to the authorities' attention.
Some of those laid off now are actually the employees who made these denunciations in the past.
Managers and union leaders summoned for hearings
In this context, investigators have started hearings targeting several executives within the Oltenia Energy Complex, as well as union leaders.
Sources among the miners claim that some of the union leaders had the role of monitoring employees who offered money for employment or contract extensions.
The same sources state that after the layoffs, some union leaders warned former employees not to self-denounce, suggesting that they could in turn be accused of bribery, as the cited source reveals.
Miners protested at the Government
Approximately 1,000 miners and energy workers protested nearly two weeks ago at Victory Square, expressing dissatisfaction with the loss of jobs and the lack of solutions from the authorities.
The grievances mainly focused on over 1,500 fixed-term employees who were left without contracts as of April 1, without clear social protection measures.
Protesters demanded that the Government renegotiate the terms assumed through the PNRR regarding mine closures and highlighted the major social impact, chanting messages such as "Without us, the light goes out" and "We are not numbers, we are families."