Romania's new public‑sector salary law triggers union backlash and raises officials' pay

The Ministry of Labour published a draft law that will overhaul how salaries for public‑sector workers are calculated. A reference base of 4 100 lei will be multiplied by a function‑specific coefficient (1‑8), creating a maximum‑to‑minimum salary ratio of 1 : 8. The law introduces a unified grading system, performance bonuses (10‑20 % of base pay for up to 30 % of staff) and caps overall bonuses at 20 % of the salary fund, with exceptions for night work, special‑needs staff and those handling EU‑funded projects – the latter may receive up to 40 % extra. In the health sector, extra allowances can reach 50 % for hazardous conditions and specific night‑shift or on‑call duties.

The draft also sets a gradual increase in earnings for senior officials: the president’s net monthly allowance may rise from about 25 000 lei now to more than 32 000 lei by 2031; the prime minister’s salary is projected to exceed 30 000 lei, and parliamentarians’ allowances could reach roughly 24 600 lei. Detailed simulations show future base wages for doctors, teachers and clergy under the new grids.

Trade unions – the health federation FSSR, education unions (FSLI, Spiru Haret) and others – have condemned the proposal, arguing that reduced or capped bonuses will lower real incomes for many workers, that the grading criteria are insufficient, and that the law betrays prior commitments made with the World Bank and under the PNRR. The governing PSD and interim premier Ilie Bolojan have said they will decide whether to support the bill after further negotiations.