Unpaid construction workers at Denmark’s largest hospital project threaten renewed blockade
Monday 1st June 2026 on 13:45 in
Denmark
A group of Romanian and Italian construction workers at the New OUH superhospital in Odense are preparing to resume their blockade on Tuesday if unpaid wages are not settled by 9 a.m., Danish broadcaster DR reports.
The workers, employed by the now-bankrupt Romanian subcontractor Techno Build, have staged protests since last week, at times blocking site access to demand back pay. While they did not obstruct traffic on Monday, their spokesperson, Ionut Cimpuesu, warned that patience is running out.
“We’ve been promised an answer by tomorrow at 9 a.m.,” Cimpuesu, a member of the 3F union, told DR. “If we don’t get all our money, we’ll block the entrance again. We’ll keep coming every day until we’re paid. But I need my wages now—not in months. You can’t buy food with money you don’t have.”
Among the protesters is 25-year-old Ana Maria Gramada Lasi, who faces eviction from her rented home after Techno Build, which previously covered her rent, collapsed. She and her partner, Alin Gabriel Demsa—also a former Techno Build employee—are searching for new jobs while awaiting overdue pay. “I hope the lawyer confirms we’ll get everything we’re owed,” Lasi said, adding she typically sends most of her earnings to support family in Romania.
Regional politicians have voiced support. Martin Konradsen of the Red-Green Alliance, a member of the Region of Southern Denmark council, called the situation “terrible” and pledged to raise it in regional discussions. “This isn’t something we can be proud of, especially not on a project of this scale,” he said.
The €1.1 billion New OUH, set to be Denmark’s largest newly built hospital, is managed by Italian contractor OHPT (Odense Hospital Project Team) on behalf of the regional health authority. OHPT has not publicly commented on the dispute, which it has framed as a matter between the main contractor and the subcontractor.
A previous blockade last week disrupted deliveries to the 247,000 m² site, which will house 912 beds and 496 outpatient rooms upon completion.