Moldova and Romania witness mass protests over frozen wages and pension cuts

In Moldova, trade unions are demanding that salary increases be applied from 1 September 2026, warning that pay‑system reforms must not restrict workers’ fundamental rights or rely on rigid bureaucracy. The call for higher wages comes amid political turmoil following the resignation of Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu’s government.

In Romania, large‑scale protests erupted in Bucharest on 6 July 2026, with employees from key sectors and pensioners marching against frozen salaries and pensions that have not been indexed to inflation. Demonstrators claim the government, led by Ilie Bolojan, has ignored previous appeals and that the new salary law deepens their grievances. Both countries see growing public pressure to adjust wages and pension payments.