UDMR leader criticizes salary law: 'Technical problems and lack of government legitimacy'

Kelemen Hunor, the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), has voiced strong criticism regarding Romania's draft law on unified salaries. He contends that the proposed legislation presents significant technical and structural problems. Hunor also expressed concerns that the current political climate, with an interim government in place, is not conducive to productive negotiations with social partners.

Speaking on Euronews, Hunor stated that the draft, presented by interim Labor Minister Dragoș Pîslaru, is far from finalized and requires extensive discussions with trade unions. He specifically pointed to issues within the occupational families outlined in the project's annexes, noting problems in sectors such as education, the judiciary, and culture. Hunor emphasized that effective dialogue with social partners is crucial if the law is to be passed by Parliament before the end of June.

A significant point of contention for Hunor is the legitimacy of the interim government to engage in such critical negotiations. He argued that a government that has been ousted by a parliamentary vote lacks the necessary weight and credibility to discuss substantial matters with trade unions. "An interim government does not have the necessary legitimacy to discuss with social partners," he declared, adding that regardless of the ministers' intentions, the government's diminished political standing prevents meaningful dialogue.

The draft law on unified salaries for public sector employees is a key component of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The plan mandates its implementation by July 1, 2026, as a condition for receiving a tranche of over 700 million euros. The proposed legislation aims to reorganize salary grids based on 12 grades and coefficients ranging from 1 to 8, with a reference value set at 4,100 lei in 2027. The law is scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2027.