Workers unions in Romania have announced a general strike on May 31st after having protested in Bucharest today against the recently announced measures of cutting public clerks salaries by 25 percent and pensions by 15 percent. There were 30,000 people in Victoriei Square today, according to media estimations, although the workers unions' leaders had announced a double crowd expected to participate. Teachers, pensioners, students, public clerks, miners, they all came from across the country to protest against the austerity measures.

The protest was held between 9,00 hours in the morning and 13,00 hours. The traffic will be restricted in the area until 16,00 hours today. Read here what streets were closed and what are the alternative areas.

The protests were not violent and the participants have asked for the removal of the current government led by Emil Boc. There were also slogans against president Traian Basescu, among which one wich wrote “Basescu, economy killer” and “Resignation of the irresponsible, who through lies and social instigation takes the country on the verge of disaster and civil war.”

Meanwhile, the country's Economic and Social Council (CES) has to agree on the letter which will be sent to the International Monetary Fund, but no later than May 23rd, so that it can be approved in the council's June meeting. This is the needed deadline for Romania to receive the next installment from the IMF. CES includes both workers unions' members and Romanian government representatives.

See below a short film from the event, courtesy of Hotnews.ro.