Romanian Govt Notifies Constitutional Court On Annulment Of Act Delaying Teachers’ Pay Raise

The Constitutional Court started debates Tuesday on exceptions of unconstitutionality raised by the People’s Advocate on the ordinance putting off teachers’ wage raises.

 

The Federation of Free Unions in Education (FSLI), on behalf of over 191,000 union members and on the basis of provisions of article 28 of Trade Union Law 54/2003, urged the People’s Advocate to notify the Constitutional Court on the "unconstitutionality of provisions 1, 2 and 4 of Government Emergency Ordinance 136/2008 establishing certain measures targeting the salary system of education sector employees in 2008".

 

The government on Monday approved a 28% wage hike for staff in the education system, to be applied gradually based on existing revenue, Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu said.

 

Tariceanu said the pay hike will be operated in two stages, on March 1, 2009 and September 1, 2009, respectively.

 

“This is the best solution Romania’s budget can handle. Our decision is intended also as an invitation to dialogue for trade unions,” Tariceanu said.

 

He said other public sectors, such as healthcare and justice, will see similar wage increases as well.