Romania publishes draft of new public sector salary law

Romania's Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity has released the draft of a new salary law for public sector employees, marking a significant step in reforming the country's wage system. The published document includes detailed pay scales and a calendar for its implementation, now open for public consultation.

The release comes after interim Labor Minister Dragoș Pîslaru accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of obstructing negotiations for the new law. Pîslaru alleged that PSD representatives expressed concerns about limiting expenses during meetings, while simultaneously fueling discontent among unions.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a unified salary grid for all public sector workers. It outlines distinct regulations for various professional groups, including education and scientific research, health and social assistance, culture, diplomacy, the justice system, defense, public order, national security, institutions funded entirely by their own revenue, and public administration.

This new law is considered one of the government's key reforms in public sector remuneration. It is expected to redefine salary calculations for hundreds of thousands of public employees and reshape the salary hierarchy among different professional categories. The Ministry has made the draft law and its technical annexes, detailing coefficients and rules for each sector, available for review.

“

The PSD made contradictory statements during negotiations, expressing concern about limiting expenses in meetings, while in my opinion, fueling union dissatisfaction.