Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete said he opposes a proposed 10% cut to the salaries of medical staff in hospitals and ambulance services.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new oncological radiotherapy unit at the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, Rogobete stressed that dialogue with trade unions remains ongoing, particularly regarding the current reforms in the health system. He said the aim of the reforms is to make the system sustainable, even if some measures are uncomfortable for staff, and reiterated his opposition to any 10% pay reduction.
The minister also said that the health sector is currently the only area where hiring requires government approval through a memorandum, allowing the system to recruit staff in 2026 despite general hiring restrictions. He acknowledged long-standing tensions over shift arrangements, saying the current system is outdated and under review, with changes expected once the 2026 budget is approved, likely around March or April.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Council of the 'Solidaritatea Sanitara' Federation notified the government of its intention to call a general strike in the healthcare sector in response to economic and social policies. The union quoted the government's draft law proposing the 10% salary cut, as well as previous pay losses since last year, which could result in a real-term wage reduction of around 30% by the end of 2026.
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