Representatives of the NCPM presented their position on this issue at a meeting of the National Commission on Consultations and Collective Bargaining, where participants discussed issues related to wages, changes to labor legislation, the fight against undeclared employment, the protection of workers in the event of employer bankruptcy, and the regulation of prices for domestic pharmaceuticals. The unions called for the minimum wage for 2027 to be set well in advance, in accordance with national legislation and the European Directive on an Adequate Minimum Wage. Amid the continuing rise in the cost of living, the unions reiterated the need to raise the minimum wage in 2027 to 8,700 lei, which corresponds to 50% of the projected average monthly wage for the economy. The NCPM emphasizes that the increase is necessary given the ongoing rise in the cost of living and should serve as a measure to support low-income workers. One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the two deregulation packages developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, which provide for the simplification of a number of administrative procedures and changes in various areas, including labor legislation. In this regard, representatives of the NCPM emphasized that any legislative initiative concerning labor relations, the rights and guarantees of workers, must be developed and promoted in accordance with the mechanisms of tripartite social dialogue and in coordination with the government agency responsible for labor policy. At the same time, the unions pointed out that the participation of social partners should begin as early as the drafting stage of regulatory acts, rather than only at the stage of their approval. The labor unions also expressed concern about initiatives that, in their view, could lead to a reduction in workers’ labor rights and protections, including in the area of occupational safety. The 2025 report of the State Labor Inspectorate was also presented at the meeting. According to the agency, more than 6,200 employment relationships were formalized last year thanks to strengthened oversight. The Inspectorate noted that it is focusing on preventing violations, advising employers, and digitizing its oversight activities. For their part, the labor unions called for strengthening the agency’s capacity to improve the effectiveness of monitoring compliance with labor laws and to reduce the number of workplace accidents and occupational diseases. // July 22, 2026 – InfoMarket.