Romanian Public Sector Unitary Wage Law To Be Revised – Unions

National Union Bloc (BNS) president Dumitru Costin said Friday that Law no. 330/2009, regarding the unitary remuneration of public sector staff, „will become history” and will be replaced by a new law in September. He also said the new law will use the current year’s salaries, 25% lower compared to those of 2009, as points of reference.

The prime minister and unionists also talked about potential 10-15% wage increases in 2011, generally for people with lower incomes. Costin said a third of the total active population, some 1.5 million people, currently earn minimum wage. The union leader also said he estimates the salary level would return to that of 2009 after at least four years.

„Cartel Alfa” union confederation president Bogdan Hossu said the new wage law will restore the 1-to-15 ratio between the minimum and maximum public sector salary. As regards minimum wage, point one on the wage grid, the prime minister suggested setting it at 640 lei (EUR1=RON4.2304), while the unionists said it should be at least RON700, said Hossu.

„According to forecasts, the minimum wage should be RON860 in 2011. We know this is not possible, but we ask for a minimum of RON700-750 and the prime minister promised to analyze this request,” he said.

Hossu also said the „complete revision” of the unitary wage law implies the prime minister will need to seek a confidence vote for the law in Parliament again.

The unionists said they will receive the new wage bill from the Government on Monday.