Negotiations with trade unions and ministries regarding the draft law on public-sector remuneration must be resumed in an honest, fair, and efficient manner; the fact that there is a 2027 target for its completion does not mean that discussions cannot take place as early as this year, stated Florin Manole the nominee for Minister of Labor on Tuesday, following hearings before the joint specialized committees of Parliament.
"Regarding the Salary Law, it is imperative that negotiations between the unions and the ministries be resumed in an honest, fair, and efficient manner. By this, I mean that we must not merely listen to the unions, but truly hear their arguments and take them into consideration. I would like to remind you that, prior to the political deadlock over the Salary Law, a crucial administrative requirement was not met: the Ministries of Health and Education rejected the latest version of the draft law. Please do not interpret this as a political statement; rather, view it as a matter of administrative rigor a standard that any subsequent draft must also uphold. Specifically, while unions may pursue an ambitious agenda that a given ministry cannot implement in its entirety, the relevant line ministries which represent both the professional interests of their respective sectors and the interests of the Government must be involved in the negotiations (such as those between the Ministry of Labor and unions in the education or health sectors) to help us reach a consensus. It is worth noting, however, that there was already a consensus regarding the major issue of the budgetary impact of the Salary Law a consensus signed by all parties involved in the negotiations so the only remaining challenge was the matter of redistribution," stated Manole.
The incoming head of the Ministry of Labor explained that the project cannot be implemented before the end of this year, as there is insufficient time; the Government's priorities are the budgetary rectification and the 2027 budget.
"I mentioned the year 2027 because I was quoting from the governing program, which includes this timeframe a broad one, admittedly. Furthermore, we are nearing the end of the current year, and we have an obligation to carry out a budgetary adjustment and prepare the budget; these are the priorities with which this Government will begin its work. At the Ministry of Labor, there are two directives that must be implemented one is nearing its deadline, while the other has already slightly exceeded it and neither can be delayed any further. Fortunately, the draft legislation is already in Parliament, so there is not much work left to do. Both directives were discussed repeatedly with social partners trade unions and employers' organizations prior to May, so the groundwork has already been laid. My point is that the Government's agenda assuming it secures the parliamentary vote today is already quite full for the next month and a half," he stated.
According to him, the trade unions have already begun to express their concern regarding the draft law on remuneration.
"I don't think it's a secret or anything surprising that the trade unions are already starting to reach out and express their concerns. The fact that we have a horizon set for 2027 doesn't mean we can't hold discussions as early as this year," stated Florin Manole.
Florin Manole, the nominee for the Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, received a positive endorsement on Monday from the specialized parliamentary committees.
There were 52 votes in favor, 26 against and three abstentions.
