Romania to spend an additional EUR 500 mln for new public wage law

The Government needs to spend an additional amount of RON 300 million (EUR 67 million) this year to apply the new public wage law, said the Finance Minister Anca Dragu. The next year’s budget impact will be higher, amounting to some RON 2 billion (EUR 447 million). The Government wants to approve an Emergency Ordinance that will increase a part of the salaries in the public sector by 5-20% starting August 1. Social workers will benefit from the largest increases. The minimum wage in the public sector will amount to RON 1,250 (EUR 280) whereas the maximum wage will be received by the President and will reach RON 15,000 (EUR 3,354). However, the new wage law draft may be withdrawn from public debate, as the unions have been unhappy with the current form. Labor Minister Claudia Costea said she would resign if the project is not withdrawn, according to official sources cited by the local media. editor@romania-insider.com