Romania - Unionists protest over blocked collective bargaining - September 30, 2026

On 30 September, around 100 trade unionists from retail, IT&C and the financial sector protested in front of the European Commission in Brussels. The action was organised by the Cartel Alfa confederation and follows earlier protests at the European Labour Authority and at the Ministry of Labour on 25 August. The unions say sectoral collective bargaining remains largely blocked in the private sector. Employers' organisations delay negotiations or lack a mandate, and some banks have even left their employers' association to avoid applying the sectoral agreement. As a result, workers in many sectors cannot genuinely negotiate their pay, hours and working conditions. The unions are calling on national and EU authorities to enforce the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages.

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