Average labour cost in Romania rises during lockdown

Romania's hourly labor cost adjusted for working days increased by 11.47% in the second quarter of the year compared to the previous quarter, and by 16.11% compared to the same quarter of last year, the statistics office INS reported.

The rise was driven mainly by the interruption of activity in the context of COVID-19 restrictions.

While some companies interrupted their economic activity during the state of emergency (March-May), others reduced the actual time worked or sent part of their employees in technical unemployment.

The most significant increase in the hourly labor cost (adjusted for the number of working days) was found in hotels and restaurants (+74.1% quarter on quarter), followed by entertainment, cultural and recreational activities (+30.0%). These economic sectors were also the most impacted by the interruption or cessation of the activity of the economic agents as a result of the state of emergency or alert.

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