Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced on Monday that the Kurzarbeit model is to be implemented in Romania, which provides for a flexible working schedule, but the setting out of an implementation period is necessary, as well as clear award criteria.
On the other hand, the PM underscored that clear criteria must be established to implement such a programme, so that companies which don't really need support measures don't resort to them.
"Certainly, the measure is enforced on a limited period, when a major disruption occurs on the market, such as the economic crisis generated by the COVID epidemic. Thus, we will have to establish an implementation period and we will have to think very carefully how to make this mechanism operational, so that, on the one hand, it can be as easy as possible, without complicated bureaucratic procedures. On the other hand, to provide very clear, very precise criteria for granting the aid to companies and employees, so there are no major issues in interpreting the manner in which it is implemented and to reduce, as much as possible, the possibility for some employers using this protection form without needing it or as an additional revenue resource, considering that they, theoretically, wouldn't need this measure," Orban mentioned.
The public debate is organsied by the Labour and Social Protection Ministry. The event is also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Raluca Turcan, Labour Minister Violeta Alexandru and presidential adviser Cosmin Marinescu.