The governing coalition will discuss the minimum wage again

The leaders of the governing coalition are expected to resume discussions on the minimum wage in the economy next year. Its level should increase according to a European directive that Romania has aligned itself with and that correlates income with the cost of living.

The leaders of the parties in power, however, have not agreed on this subject so far. There is no consensus even among the representatives of the employers' associations and unions who met yesterday at the Ministry of Labor.

There were heated discussions on the four scenarios in the works that provide for - from increases ranging from 300 to 700 lei gross in the guaranteed minimum wage to maintaining the current level.

4.050 lei is currently the minimum gross wage in the economy, with Romanians receiving practically 2.574 lei.

This level must take into account the legislation in force and the European Union directive, according to which the minimum wage in the economy cannot be lower than 50% of the average gross wage, and the current calculation formula must also take into account a series of criteria, such as the general level of wages, the rate of wage growth, purchasing power and labor productivity at national level.

It must be said that while the Social Democrats and the unions are in favor of this increase from January 1, 2026, on the other side are the employers' associations and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

He claims that the move would have a significant impact precisely on the area where it was decided to cap wages and pensions in the public sector.

He also explained that turbulence would also occur in the private sector, since here the salary is related to the level of the minimum wage in the public sector.

The discussions within the social dialogue committee will be followed by a meeting of the National Tripartite Council by the end of this week.

Translated by: Radu Matei