Romanian Fin Ministry Employees Resume Protests Doubtful About Receiving Unpaid Bonuses

"We halted the works of the committee setting wage bonuses, as the finance minister refuses to observe the protocol," said Oprescu, adding ministry employees decided to resume protests.

Unionists and Finance Ministry representatives have met for negotiations on wage incentives several times. During the latest meeting, Oprescu signed a protocol setting the performance criteria for the granting of bonuses. Oprescu said these criteria would be applied starting Monday, adding the way in which they are applied will decide whether protests will continue.

Finance Minister Gheorghe Ialomitianu said he will hold talks with the protesters, adding employees who meet performance criteria will receive wage bonuses.

Fiscal administration head Sorin Blejnar said Saturday authorities have set performance criteria for the granting of incentives, which are not negotiable. He said an employee may get as much as three wages as a bonus for efficiency or no bonus at all.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday that salary incentives must be granted in an objective and fair manner, based only upon performance criteria.

Romania's Chamber of Deputies Tuesday adopted a government emergency decree regarding the payment of bonuses and incentives in the public sector. The decree, which adds an average level of the bonuses and incentives granted in 2009 to employees' gross salaries thus raising wages, was adopted with 209 votes in favor, 12 against and 66 abstentions. The finance minister hailed the lawmakers' vote saying an unfair remuneration system has been corrected.

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