Working in Romania
The latest from the Romanian labour market
Sorin Iordan, 31.07.2025, 12:05
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has recommended that Romania intensify its efforts to increase employment, reduce regional and social disparities, and improve the quality of the workforce. The assessment report presented to the Employment and Social Affairs Committee highlights Romania’s progress in promoting employment and strengthening social inclusion, but also areas that need to be monitored closely. The document highlights a number of reforms and initiatives, including the 2023 pension reform, which equalized the retirement age for women and men and linked it to life expectancy. In addition, in 2024, minimum guaranteed benefits were increased, extending social coverage and support. The report also refers to income growth and poverty reduction. Household incomes have grown significantly over the last decade, and poverty has been on a downward trend, although it remains high compared to the European average. At the same time, the OECD shows that, in the area of strengthening social dialogue, the recent reform of labor legislation has facilitated unionization and strengthened collective bargaining rights.
The Bucharest Territorial Labor Inspectorate imposed fines totaling 780,000 lei (over 150,000 euros) following inspections carried out on construction sites between July 14 and 19, and ordered six work stoppages in the field of occupational health and safety. Following the inspections, Bucharest inspectors identified 44 people who were working in undeclared employment situations. According to ITM Bucharest, these kinds of inspections are part of the Inspectorate’s strategy to fight undeclared work. The institution says it’s still keeping an eye on how the law is being followed and will take action in Bucharest in all areas of activity.
The unemployment rate recorded in Romania in June was 3.16%, 0.03 percentage points lower than the previous month, according to the National Agency for Employment. The total number of unemployed exceeds 252,000, most of whom are in the 40-49 age group, followed by those over 55. At the opposite end of the spectrum are people between 25 and 29 years old. ANOFM also states that most unemployed people were registered in rural areas, over 187,000. At the same time, the majority of unemployed Romanians, about 32%, have a primary education level, while people with university degrees represent only 4.36% of the total.
Immigration police in Dâmboviţa County, southern Romania, detected eight foreigners—one from Sri Lanka and seven from Nepal—who were working for a company in the county and had not left Romania at the end of their legal period of stay. IGI Dâmboviţa reports that one of the Nepalese citizens was ordered to be removed from Romanian territory under escort, a measure that was enforced by accompanying him to the Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest. For the other seven, return decisions were issued with a voluntary departure period of 15 and 30 days, respectively. The eight citizens entered Romania legally on work visas, but did not leave the country upon expiry of their visas.
A cable factory in the city of Târgu Jiu, in southwestern Romania, will lay off 415 of its 430 employees starting September 1. The measure follows an official notification sent to the Gorj County Employment Agency and raises alarm signals about the county’s economic stability. Those affected will receive compensation based on seniority, ranging from 3 to 10 basic salaries, but there is talk at the local level of possible further layoffs in the coming period, which could bring the total number of people affected to over 1,000. (MI)
