Gov’t to set up inter-ministerial committee to look into fully implementing public pay law

 

He said that he discussed public pay together with Social Democratic Party (PSD) national leader Marcel Ciolacu and officials of the National Institute of Statistics (INS) protesting before the PSD headquarters.

 

"We had a constructive discussion and we appreciated, first of all, the willingness to dialogue of the employees' representatives from the National Institute of Statistics. The discussion focused on what we have already started working on from January 1: a governmental inter-ministerial committee will be set up to consider what is still to be implemented of the public pay law. Personally, as a PSD member, I am glad that people have come to us; that means that they find support here and they have a hope that we will have a perspective. We agreed within the National Tripartite Council, with the social partners, on this analysis, which we will conduct together with the social partners, and we will build solutions together and unveil them transparently to all workers. They need that perspective on what will happen to their income, taking into account the onging social crisis, the ongoing economic crisis, the energy price crisis, and we are extremely open to dialogue," Budai said after the meeting.

 

He added that an agreement was reached with INS officials on INS being informed on the analyses and solutions of the inter-ministerial committee.

 

"By the end of March, what we have worked on will be presented, as well as the perspective that they are entitled, from my point of view, to ask for because nothing good happened for two years," added Budai.

 

According to him, the representatives of the INS employees also appreciated the decisions regarding holiday vouchers, but "people have expectations, and it is normal to have expectations."

 

Asked if there is a chance that their pay will increase this year, Budai replied: "We are working in that direction," adding that the final solution will be made public, not wanting to create false hopes, the decision will be taken after an analysis.