The government will decide by Christmas whether to increase the minimum wage from 2026. Bolojan: It would protect purchasing power
The government will decide by Christmas whether to increase the minimum wage from 2026, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Wednesday, following discussions held in the Tripartite National Council.
The government will decide by Christmas whether to increase the minimum wage from 2026. Photo Inquam Photos
Establishing the level of the minimum gross basic salary per country guaranteed in payment for next year was the main theme of the consultations held today, at the Victoria Palace, by the representatives of the Government and those of the social partners, during the meeting of the Tripartite National Council for Social Dialogue.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stated that raising the minimum wage would protect the purchasing power of low-income employees, however, it would have a number of negative effects. The Prime Minister mentioned fueling the inflationary spiral, increasing pressure on small businesses, which would cause job losses in HORECA, the furniture industry, light industry, as well as increasing personnel expenses in the budget system.
Employers' representatives presented arguments in favor of maintaining the gross minimum wage at the current level of 4050 lei per month, showing that, in the last four years, the minimum wage has increased by 76%, i.e. above the sustainable dynamics of the economy. An increase in the current level of the minimum wage, company representatives added, would accentuate the competitiveness problems of private enterprises, which would be in a position to reduce jobs in sectors with low productivity.
Union representatives have called for an increase in the minimum wage, stressing that it is an important measure to protect purchasing power, and have indicated that union organizations are prepared to propose a plan of measures to preserve jobs.
The arguments presented by the social partners will be analyzed, taking into account the economic and social context, and by Christmas, a decision will be made at Government level regarding the level of the minimum wage for next year, said Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.
In the meeting of the Tripartite National Council for Social Dialogue, the representatives of the Government and the social partners also discussed the contingent of foreign workers from non-EU states who can work in Romania during 2026, a normative act in this sense to be adopted by the Government in the coming weeks. It was also discussed about the project regarding the amendment of the legislation in the field of copyright, the reorganization of Romsilva, aspects related to human resources in health and social assistance, and the salary in the field of education.
