In order to be able to pay pensions and decent wages in Romania, clear regulations are needed to support the labour market, and one of the important aspects to be taken into account is related to occupational training standards, says Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Simona Bucura-Oprescu, write Agerpres.

In this regard, the Minister of Labour met on Friday with representatives of trade union confederations, employers’ confederations, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Investment and European Funds and the National Qualification Authority. „Following today’s discussions, we have agreed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Education will issue a joint order extending the current occupational standards until 31 December 2024, as they expire on 1 September 2023 and 1 January 2024 respectively. An immediate solution is needed to prevent a possible crisis in the continuing training market, and in the longer term, legislation and standards need to be revised to make the system functional and practical. We will continue to work together to establish objectives, a clear timetable for dialogue and resources in order to have a labour market that is as competitive and adequate as possible to current requirements,” said Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu in a Facebook post.

The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) also announced on Friday that the deadline for the elimination of occupational standards will be extended until 31 December 2024, given that almost 700 occupational standards were to be abolished from 1 September 2023. BNS President Dumitru Costin met on Friday with Labour Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu, with discussions focusing on the issue of the nearly 700 occupational standards that were to be abolished as of September 1, 2023.

„Following the meeting, the decision was taken to issue a joint order by the Ministers of Labour and Education extending the deadline for the elimination of occupational standards until 31 December 2024. It was also agreed to set up a working group, starting in September, under the coordination of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to draw up a plan of measures to improve the regulatory framework of the adult education market in Romania,” the BNS announced in a press release. The National Trade Union Bloc launched on 3 August 2023 a public appeal to the Minister of Labour and Social Protection to save around 700 occupations in Romania that were at risk of disappearing as of 1 September 2023, following decisions taken by the National for Qualifications Authority.