BRD Bank Employees in Romania Plan Protest Amid Labor Deal Impasse

Employees at BRD, one of Romania's most profitable banks, are gearing up for a protest as negotiations for a new collective labor agreement have reached an impasse. The representative union has rejected the bank's most recent proposal, expressing concerns that it could lead to a reduction in social benefits and protections for workers.

The union's objections center on several key benefits, including meal vouchers, holiday bonuses, employer contributions to Pillar III pensions, loyalty bonuses, and benefits for employees with children, as well as commuter transport reimbursement. The bank's alternative proposal of offering some compensation through a flexible benefits platform is viewed as disadvantageous by a portion of the employees.

Estimates from employee representatives suggest that an employee currently receiving all benefits under the existing agreement could face an annual loss of approximately 6,000 lei, depending on their seniority and individual circumstances. This discontent arises within a context of internal reorganizations and a notable reduction in staff numbers at BRD over recent years.

Reports indicate that BRD's workforce has decreased by over 15% in the past 15 months, while the bank has reported substantial net profits exceeding 6 billion lei between 2022 and 2025, with nearly 3 billion lei distributed or approved as dividends. Union representatives maintain that the workload has been redistributed among remaining staff, even as the bank continues to post strong financial results. The union has signaled its readiness to escalate protests if negotiations do not progress before the current contract expires on June 2.