Authorities promise increased wages for lowest salary category in non-budgetary field

The state authorities promise a new tariff salary for the first wage category in non-budgetary sphere on June 23, when the meeting of the tripartite Commission Government –Trade Unions –Patronages is to be held. The deputy minister of economy and commerce, Sergiu Sainciuc, announced that all the proposals of workers and employers’ organizations were explored within collective negotiations and the consensus version was set. Sainciuc did not mention the amount of the tariff salary, but noted that it was chosen the middle way. Previously, Trade Unions said to require employers to increase the amount of the tariff salary for the first wage category from 550 lei to 750 lei. But the employers rejected this proposal, noting that they are willing to pay for unqualified work only 650 lei. Union leaders say that the tariff salary for the first wage category is part of the salary guaranteed by employers, and the other part, called variable, includes bonuses for other qualification categories, different benefits for labor quality and bonuses. They are for increasing the guaranteed part, as the variable one is paid by the employer depending on financial possibilities, which include the existence of markets, goods’ quality and export competition etc. Trade Unions hope to equal till 2008 the tariff salary for the first wage category up to the existence minimum, which at the moment amounts to 850 lei.