Approximately 100 Romanian trade unionists protested in Brussels for collective bargaining and an increase in the minimum wage from 2027

Approximately 100 Romanian trade unionists from the retail, IT&C and financial sectors protested on Wednesday outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. They are calling for collective bargaining in the private sector to be unblocked and for Romania’s minimum wage to be increased starting January 1, 2027.

The action, organized by the National Trade Union Confederation “Cartel Alfa,” continues protests and initiatives carried out in recent months at the European Labour Authority and the Ministry of Labour. The trade unionists say that sectoral negotiations remain limited in the private sector, while employees in numerous fields are unable to genuinely negotiate their wages, working hours and conditions.

The organizations are calling on the Romanian and European authorities to support the effective implementation of the Directive on adequate minimum wages and the development of social dialogue. The directive aims both to increase minimum wages and to expand collective bargaining and the number of employees covered by collective agreements.

The second demand concerns an increase in the minimum wage from January 1, 2027. The trade unions say that many employees in low-income sectors, including retail, are paid at the minimum level. As of July 1, 2026, the gross minimum wage is 4,325 lei.

Before the protest, the delegation met with Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, while the situation of collective bargaining in Romania’s private sector was due to be presented at the European Parliament.