About 25% Of Disability Pensions Obtained Illegally – Romanian Labor Min

Seitan said the number of disability pensions increased in 2010 by almost 50%, to 900,000 from 600,000 in 2001.

According to the minister, evidence shows a part of these pensions were obtained illegally.

Seitan said that in 2009, the National Institute for Medical Expertise and Rehabilitation for Work examined the health condition of 9,100 people of which 3,500 were proposed for disability pensions and 35% of them were rejected.

Other 4,500 people underwent medical examinations and 42% of them had their disability pensions cancelled.

The minister said all disability pension files that are suspected of being illegal will be checked, adding the institute dealing with these checks will have four or five other local centers.

Seitan said the people found to have obtained disability pensions illegally would be forced to pay back the money.

Labor Ministry secretary of state Valentin Mocanu said some of the people who benefit from disability pensions continue to work on the black market.