Labor unrest in Romanian manufacturing

Labor unrest has emerged within the Romanian manufacturing sector, specifically affecting the defense manufacturer Carfil Brașov and the Fabrica de Pulberi plant in Făgăraș.

At Carfil Brașov, a state-owned armament plant under Romarm, employees have repeatedly halted work. While some wage arrears and meal vouchers have been addressed, workers report a critical lack of orders, leading to fears of mass layoffs and restructuring. Protesters also claim the facility was excluded from SAFE financing programs despite its capacity to produce military equipment, ammunition, and drones.

Simultaneously, employees at the Fabrica de Pulberi in Făgăraș have entered their third day of protest. Their demands include wage indexation to match inflation, the renewal of an expired collective bargaining agreement, and the approval of the 2026 budget. A primary concern cited by union leaders is workplace safety, with workers alleging that technical security conditions for machinery and installations are inadequate and that equipment is outdated.