A new legislative initiative provides for the introduction of gradations and coefficients that differentiate the minimum wage based on qualification and seniority, a measure supported by the National Trade Union Bloc as a solution for reducing in-work poverty and increasing the stability of the labor market, the trade union organization announced on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
According to the cited source, the proposal comes against the backdrop of the high number of employees placed in the minimum wage zone, a situation that has led to stagnant incomes, worker migration and increased dependence on labor from outside the EU.
"A new initiative to amend the Labor Code proposes the introduction of gradations and coefficients that would differentiate the minimum wage depending on the level of qualification and professional experience. The initiative comes in the context in which Romania has been facing a serious wage problem for years: millions of workers are placed in the minimum wage zone, regardless of their studies, their accumulated seniority or the complexity of the work they perform," the post states.
BNS representatives claim that, currently, "over 2.25 million full-time employees earn under 4,582 lei gross, that is, under 2,739 RON net, under 538 euros per month."
"This reality led to the capping of incomes, the transformation of Romania into a cheap labor market and a massive wave of worker migration to Western European states. In parallel, Romania ended up importing labor at an accelerated pace, without the capacity of institutions to ensure adequate protection for these workers and without solving the structural problem: the low level of wages," the union also points out.
Therefore, the National Trade Union Bloc favorably endorses the project, considering that it represents "an important step towards fairer wages and a more stable labor market."
"This initiative introduces a mechanism that can reduce the risk of in-work poverty, a persistent and alarming phenomenon in Romania, confirmed by Eurostat data. The initiative supports the stability of the labor market, by recognizing the real value of work and by correlating salary with experience and qualification. It is also a measure that can increase the attractiveness of the Romanian labor market, reducing dependence on the import of unskilled labor and the pressure on already overburdened institutions," note the BNS representatives.
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