The Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) disapproved of the draft law on the unitary salary system. A negative review was adopted by the votes of 11 members of the Council on November 6, IPN reports.

Council member Nina Cernat said the bill generated heated debates among judges and in civil society. Initially, they said this draft law will refer only to public functionaries, not yet to judges or prosecutors, but the bill covers the last two categories as well. They reached the conclusion that the judges want the special law on the pay grades for judges and prosecutors to be kept. The judges will suggest amendments to the bill as they have reservations as to seniority, the pay grades and other aspects.

The Superior Council of Magistracy’s decision can be challenged in the Supreme Court of Justice within 15 days.

The authorities estimate the new law on the salary system will take effect on December 1 this year. Under this, the salary is calculated based on a minimum reference that is multiplied by a coefficient set for each of the 130 classes of the salary system. When the law on the unitary salary system in the budgetary sector is adopted, the minimum reference value will be 1,500 lei. The reference value for calculating the salaries of judges and prosecutors could be 2,200 lei as of December 1.