Romanian Senate To Debate Act Putting Off Teachers’ Wage Hikes Next Monday

Romania’s Senate Standing Office decided Tuesday that the Government Emergency Ordinance postponing the 50% increase in teachers’ wages until April 1, 2009 would be debated in its plenary meeting next Monday.

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Social democrat senator Alexandru Athanasiu said the Senate’s special committees would analyze the act and draw up the necessary reports by Thursday, adding the act should be debated on Monday.

Democrat liberal leader Emil Boc said Monday that the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) would urge lawmakers to reject the act this week.

The law boosting Romanian teacher salaries by 50% was published last Tuesday in the Official Gazette, a short while after the Executive announced a Government Emergency Ordinance postponing the enforcement of the law until April 1, 2009.

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies unanimously enacted, late September, Government Ordinance no. 15 of January 30, 2008, regarding wage hikes to be granted in 2008 to education sector employees. The law stipulated a 50% increase in teachers’ wages and the Chamber’s vote was decisive in the matter.

Romanian president Traian Basescu promulgated the law a week ago, saying it observes constitutionality criteria and he sees its promulgation as adequate.

Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu asked politicians and union leaders to understand that a 50% hike in teacher salaries will have a catastrophic effect on the economy, and added Romania cannot afford to apply such an irresponsible measure.

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