Trade unions believe that the current system for increasing the minimum wage does not compensate for rising prices. According to Agerpres, from January 2025 to June 2026, the minimum wage remained at 4,050 RON (around €758). Over these 18 months, prices rose by 13.8 per cent, whilst the purchasing power of the minimum wage, according to BNS calculations, fell by 12 per cent.
From 1 July 2026, the minimum wage was raised to 4,325 RON (around €810). However, the trade unions believe this is insufficient. According to their research, eight out of ten workers in Romania receive a basic wage below the national average.
Under the current formula, which takes into account inflation and labour productivity growth, the minimum wage in 2027 should amount to 4,583 RON (approximately €858). The BNS is proposing to increase it to 4,652 RON. To achieve this, the trade unions propose first taking into account the cost of living increases during the wage freeze period, and then applying the established formula for the increase.
According to the trade unions’ calculations, the new minimum wage would amount to 48.5 per cent of the projected average wage in the country. This falls within the range stipulated by law – from 47 per cent to 52 per cent.
The study also highlights the extent to which the minimum wage lags behind household expenditure. Currently, an employee receives around 2,699 RON (approximately €505) after tax. This amount covers only 48.7 per cent of the monthly expenditure of a family comprising two adults and two children. The cost of the consumer basket for such a family in September 2026 was estimated at 11,668 RON (around €2,184).
In addition to raising the minimum wage, the BNS proposes setting a fixed date for its review – 1 January each year. If a decision is delayed, it is proposed that wages be automatically indexed to the rate of inflation.
According to trade unions, in 2023, 28 per cent of workers in Romania were covered by collective agreements, whilst the European directive sets a target of 80 per cent.
This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
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