Natalia Plugaru
In her public statement, she explained that the reform calls for a shift from calculating vacation in calendar days to calculating it in working days, which will ensure a fair approach for all employees.
“No one will lose vacation days, and no one will lose money. Only the calculation method is changing,” the minister said.
According to her, the minimum vacation entitlement currently stipulated by the Labor Code is 28 calendar days, which in practice is equivalent to approximately 20 working days of vacation. Starting January 1, 2027, the minimum vacation will be set at 22 working days.
Natalia Plugaru explained that the current system can create inequality among employees depending on how days off coincide with the vacation period. The new mechanism is designed to provide all employees with the same number of actual days off.
The minister clarified that the amount of vacation pay will not decrease, and all vacation days accrued before the new rules take effect will be retained.
In addition, additional vacation days granted to certain categories of employees will be retained. This applies to parents with two or more children under the age of 14, parents caring for children with disabilities, and employees working in hazardous conditions.
“Absolutely all vacation days accrued to date will be retained,” the minister emphasized.
The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
