Mînzatu: 'Collective bargaining cannot be reduced to a signature on a document'

Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu met representatives of the Cartel ALFA National Trade Union Confederation and UNI Europa, who were protesting in front of the European Commission in Brussels. They discussed directly the deadlock in collective bargaining in Romania and its consequences for employees. Wages, working conditions and job security are essential, Mînzatu said. Employees have the right to a strong voice and to effective social dialogue that produces results, rather than being a mere formality. Genuine social dialogue requires good faith, responsibility and a willingness to make decisions together. When collective negotiations are strictly formal and reaching agreements is blocked, it is employees and their families who suffer. Mînzatu voiced strong support for strengthening collective bargaining in Romania, including at sectoral level, so that workers' protection becomes real. She added that truly strong societies -- capable of overcoming technological, security and economic challenges -- are those built on social dialogue that delivers results for both companies and employees, where social partners have a firm voice and collective negotiations actually work.