Parties launched governing programs ahead of the general elections scheduled for November 30, promising higher living standards in the next four years. The main opposition party, the Social Democrats (PSD), have promised to double the minimum wage to RON 1,000 (€271), to build 500,000 low-cost homes, and provide €25,000 bonuses for Romanians currently living abroad and willing to relocate to work in Romania.
The Liberal Democrats (PD-L), who were part of the ruling coalition, but decided to exit the government following disputes with the Liberal Party, have promised “a guaranteed minimum pension,” so that no one receives pensions below RON 350 (€350). They also promised to cancel joint labor contracts “to eliminate remuneration uniformity.”
However, union leaders and employer representatives are viewing these promises with scepticism. The Chairman of the Cartel Alfa trade union confederation, Bogdan Hosu, told Business Standard that politicians cannot promise salary hikes, as social players (employers and employees) are in charge of this issue, not the government. He added that PD-L’s proposal regarding pensions “is unfair”, as the same calculation formula should be used for each taxpayer.
The President of the Alliance of Employer Union Confederations (ACPR), Adrian Izvoranu, said that a bonus for Romanians returning from abroad would not be fair to other Romanians.
