The president of employers confederation UGIR 1903, Cezar Coraci, said Wednesday after talks held at the Labor Ministry, that employers decided to postpone discussions on the minimum wage until the future Government presents them with the macroeconomic figures and coherent anti-crisis measures.
„We are worried about what is happening now with the country’s economy. Prices will rise starting January 1, 2010, which means production costs will also rise and an increase of the minimum wage will be impossible (…) No coherent decision can be made since we don’t know what the macroeconomic figures are,” said Coraci, adding no viable anti-crisis measures have been taken so far.
Coraci said a decision regarding the minimum wage in 2010 can only be made when figures regarding the VAT, excises and the state budget are known.
Employers proposed a minimum wage of 650 lei (EUR1=RON4.2930) on condition the grid in the collective labor contract remains unchanged, or of RON705 if the grid is eliminated.
UGIR 1903 vice-president Dragos Mihalache said the Government proposed minimum wage to be set at RON705 starting 2010, but employers asked for the minimum wage to be frozen in the first six months of the year.
Mihalache added the proposition made by the Government will be analyzed until the next meeting set on Tuesday.