Press Review - December 3, 2015

12.03.2015 By Gabriela Stan

Romgaz Employees Go On Japanese Strike

Over 6,000 employees (of a total 6,300) of Romania’s largest natural gas producer Romgaz (SNG.RO) went on Japanese strike on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the company’s employees have one of the highest salaries among state-owned companies, as it is the second most profitable company, after Hidroelectrica.

Romgaz representatives gave assurance that the country’s natural gas supply would not be affected by the employees’ strike.

Romgaz is 70%-owned by the Romanian state and its second biggest shareholder is property restitution fund Fondul Proprietatea, which owns 6.18%.  (Puterea)

Antitrust Watchdog Fines HP For Abuse Of Dominant Position

The Competition Council fined HP Romania for abuse of dominant position after it terminated a contract before the end date and without objective justification.

According to the authorities, the contract was developed through four partner companies: SC ISA SRL, SC KMP Vest SRL, SC S&T Romania SRL and SC Be Proffice SA/RTC Proffice Experience SA. The termination of the contract by HP Romania 5 month before the expiration date and the stopping of commercial relations with the four partners occurred without any explanation from HP Romania.

Between 2007 and 2011, HP Romania held a dominant position on the market of inkjet printers on the business segment, with a market share of over 80%. The investigation started back in 2012.  (Evenimentul Zilei)

 Emil Constantinescu Talks About Corruption During Solemn Meeting On National Day

Former President of Romania, Emil Constantinescu, talked for the first time about corruption at the solemn meeting dedicated to the National Day.

"It is obvious that the current anticorruption campaign, with all its successes and flaws, will probably clean, under the pressure of the street, the Parliament, the Government, the Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Courts, the Intelligence Service, the business environment, the press and the civil society off the compromised persons in a few years," Constantinescu stated in the plenum of the Senate.

The former President added that the street movements in 2012 and 2015 occurred out of despair, against the generalized theft of national treasures. Emil Constantinescu added that, in solving the current situation, which is not economical, political or social, but a "deep moral crisis of the Romanian society", the Parliament plays an essential role: to quickly adopt clear laws, with drastic sanctions, and strict control so that everybody would observe the law. (Puterea)

Deputy Bogdan Diaconu Submits Draft Law On Outlawing Democratic Union Of Hungarians In Romania

Deputy Bogdan Diaconu submitted a draft law for outlawing the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and banning its activity on the territory of the Romanian state.

According to Diaconu, the action is based on the recent actions of an extremist Hungarian leader, who planned to commit an attack during the December 1st parade at Targu Secuiesc.

Although all Hungarian parties, including UDMR, said they had nothing to do with the action which targeted Romanian citizens and children participating in the National Day parade, UDMR was the main financer of” 64 Counties Youth Movement” (HVIM) over the years through local authorities led by UDMR leaders, Diaconu said.  (Evenimentul Zilei)

Over 1,400 Movies To Participate In NexT International Film Festival 2016

The selection for the tenth edition of the NexT Film Festival 2016 will be announced at the beginning of next year. The jury of NexT International Film Festival will offer six awards totaling EUR5,000, celebrating innovation and creativity, the organizers said.

Thus, the jury will offer “NexT” award, worth EUR2,000, "Cristian Nemescu" award for best production - EUR1,000, "Andrei Toncu" award for best sound - EUR1,000, an award for best Romanian film - EUR1,000, public’s award for foreign film and public’s award for Romanian film.

The mission of International Film festival NexT is to discover and support talented moviemakers who have just started their career and to promote cinematography as art. (Adevarul)