Carfil Brașov employees strike over unpaid wages

Employees at the Carfil Brașov arms manufacturer launched a spontaneous strike on Thursday morning to protest unpaid salaries and meal vouchers. Workers gathered in the factory courtyard with banners demanding payment and protection against potential restructuring due to the company’s financial difficulties.

There are conflicting reports regarding the scale of the protest. Constantin Bucuroiu, leader of the Defense and Aerospace Industry Trade Union Alliance, stated that approximately 350 of the 579 employees participated. However, factory director Mircea Tanțău claimed about 120 employees were involved, describing it as a spontaneous warning action.

The unrest stems from a liquidity crisis caused by a lack of orders and delayed payments for goods intended for delivery. While the director stated that funds for the outstanding August 15th salaries have reached the bank and should be distributed shortly, the next scheduled payment on August 30th may be delayed until early September.

This financial instability occurs despite recent strategic importance for the facility, which has received government investment exceeding 21 million euros to support the production of Romania’s first military drones. Carfil, a subsidiary of the national company Romarm, produces NATO-standard ammunition, grenade launchers, and defense industry spare parts.