Romania's public salary law triggers union protests and govt warning

A draft law aimed at reforming public‑sector wages in Romania has become the centre of a heated dispute. Five national trade‑union confederations – Cartel Alfa, Frăția, the Democratic Confederation of Trade Unions, Meridian and the National Trade Union Bloc – issued a joint statement demanding the immediate withdrawal of the current Salary Law proposal, describing it as “poorly designed” and saying they will no longer take part in any consultations. The unions warn that the bill could freeze or reduce salaries for more than 400,000 public employees and has already provoked social tensions and protests.

The government counters that rejecting the law would jeopardise the recovery of €770 million from the EU‑backed National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told journalists that the legislation does not aim to cut public‑sector incomes and that its adoption is essential to secure the funding. He also warned that non‑adoption would mean a loss of the €770 million tranche.

Former health minister Alexandru Rogobete, now a deputy, criticised the bill for threatening staff in intensive‑care units, saying the changes “hit the heart of the hospital”. He and other officials have called for a balanced, transparent reform to be drafted after a full‑power government is installed, estimating a six‑month timeline.

The controversy reflects broader political friction over public‑sector reform, with unions, the ruling coalition and opposition parties each positioning the Salary Law as either a safeguard for equitable pay or a risk to crucial EU funding.