The denunciation of an entrepreneur. The construction bribe reaches up to 30% of the value of the contract: “and the hypermarkets practice”
In full wave of analyzes about public expenses, budgets and reforms, another face of the economy remains silent and rarely discussed: the bribe in the private sector of constructions, warns an entrepreneur, according to which the “unofficial commission” is between 3 and 30%.
In construction the bribe is at least 3% of the contract. Photo shutterstock
Is that unofficial commission, “Of course”which starts from 3% and can reach even 30% of the value of an order, says the entrepreneur, specifying that “It is offered for a recommendation, a contract or simply because someone knows someone“. A practice so widespread that it has become regarded as a natural routine in the industry, says Cosmin Raileanu, the founder of the platform for Vem-ieftin.ro | virtual warehouse.
According to him, including physical deposits and hypermarkets “motivate” the specialists to bring their customers, but the whole client finally pays the payment note.
Even the specialized craftsmen of the construction have made a strategy to be constantly involved in areas where they have an interest in obtaining financial gains.
And the real cost of these little ones “gestures“It is not supported by companies or intermediaries. The final beneficiary pays – the man who makes a house, a office, a hall.
“I recently had a meeting with a purchasing manager from a real estate developer. After two discussions, he told me openly: we can start the collaboration, but I want 3% of each order, cash. It was directly, without shame. That's the reality. And it's not an isolated case“He says.
In an industry where the dream of each family is to build a safe roof over the head, exactly this dream is more expensive-not because of the materials itself, but because of a system of parallel relationships, “invisible” commissions and decisions influenced by personal interest.
Romania already has a market for construction under pressure, with prices for growing materials, increasing costs for labor and more and more difficult budgets. In this context, any unofficial addition-whether it's 3% or even 20-30%-added “below the table ” It is not just a detail, but it becomes a real burden in the final cost of each project.
“Everyone talks about fairness in the state. But in private, where everyday decisions are made, the bribe is seen as normal. We decided not to be part of this system. We know that sometimes we lose contracts because of this. But we also know that we are on the correct road ”, says Cosmin Raileanu.
“The private bribe exists. And if we don't talk about it, nothing will change ”, says the entrepreneur.
