Ilie Bolojan announced that the gross minimum wage will remain at the same level in 2026, citing rising costs and the impact on the budget.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stated that the gross minimum wage in the country will remain unchanged in 2026, during a meeting with the National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue. He explained that, although labor productivity has increased by 5%, wages have already risen by 9%, and an increase in the minimum wage would generate cascading increases in other wages and budgetary expenses. Bolojan emphasized that such an increase would particularly affect low-income individuals, causing additional inflation. He also mentioned that a uniform increase in the minimum wage would penalize poorer regions, leading to the disappearance of jobs in rural areas and small towns. Consultations will continue, and a final decision will be made by the end of November. The gross minimum wage was recently increased from 3,700 to 4,050 lei, with a net salary of 2,574 lei.