Romania's Labour Minister Marius Budai resigns amid elderly care facilities scandal, Bucharest - 12 Jun 2023
Romania's Minister of Labour and Social Protection Marius Budai during a press conference at the Government headquarters, in Bucharest, Romania, 12 June 2023 (issued 13 July 2023). Romania's Labour Minister Marius Budai resigned amid an elderly care facilities scandal, the announcement of the resignation was made on 13 July 2023 by Romanian Prime Minister Ciolacu at the beginning of a government meeting. Prosecutors from the anti-organized crime agency (DIICOT) and Romanian police searched dozens of homes of individuals as part of an investigation into the mistreatment and exploitation of elderly and disabled people from elderly care facilities and nursing homes near Bucharest. DIICOT inquiry showed that the victims were subjected to inhumane treatments or degrading treatment, were not given sufficient food and adequate medical treatment, or were pushed into forced labor. The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) closed on 06 July 2023, one of the residential centers intended for adults with disabilities or in vulnerable situations, from Ilfov county, and temporarily stopped the activity in two other centers that were checked by DIICOT personnel. All the elderly care centers around the country are subject of government agency inspections.