Employment rights, contracts, and worker protections

Mar 14, 2025 | ukraine_jobs

By holding a valid temporary protection permit or other recognized residency status in Romania, you gain the right to legally work under Romanian Labor Law (Codul Muncii). This legal framework is designed to safeguard employees from unfair treatment, ensuring both local and foreign workers benefit from mandatory written contracts, social security coverage, annual leave entitlements, and protections against discrimination.

1. Written employment contracts

  1. Mandatory requirement

    • No verbal agreements: Romanian law strictly requires a written, signed contract (Contract Individual de Muncă) for all employees.

    • Why it matters: This ensures a formal record of your salary, duties, and benefits. Without it, you have fewer legal remedies if conflicts arise (e.g., unpaid wages, unsafe work conditions).

  2. Key contract details

    • Salary & payment terms: Must state your gross monthly wage, how/when it will be paid (bank transfer or cash, typically monthly).

    • Work schedule & duties: Specifies working hours (e.g., 8-hour shifts, shift rotations), job description, and responsibilities.

    • Vacation days: Romanian law mandates a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year for full-time staff; your contract may offer more.

    • Other clauses: Notice periods for resignation, probation period (if any), overtime compensation, etc.

  3. Useful resources

    • Inspectia Muncii (Labor Inspection): inspectiamuncii.ro

      • What you’ll find: Guidance on writing contracts, how to interpret key clauses, steps to report illegal or exploitative practices.

2. Social security & healthcare

  1. Employer Contributions

    • Automatic enrollment: Once you sign a legal work contract, your employer is required to register you in the national payroll system and pay monthly contributions (CAS, CASS) on your behalf.

    • Benefits:

      • Access to the public healthcare system, including family doctor registration, specialist referrals, and potentially free or subsidized medication.

      • Pension accumulation: Contributions count toward your pension eligibility in Romania; if you decide to remain long-term, it could be vital for retirement.

  2. Healthcare coverage

    • Proof of insurance: Once your contract is active, you can obtain a health insurance card or certificate from CNAS (Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate).

    • Family members: In some cases, if you have dependents under temporary protection, they may also become eligible for certain healthcare services.

  3. Where to check

    • CNAS (National Health Insurance House): cnas.ro

      • What you’ll find:

        • Procedures for registering with a family doctor, coverage details for prescription medication, hospital care, etc.

        • Info on the “card de sănătate” (health card) and how to use it.

3. Annual leave & public holidays

  1. Minimum paid vacation

    • Codul Muncii stipulates at least 20 working days of paid annual leave per year for full-time employees. Part-timers and employees on fractional schedules have a pro-rated entitlement.

    • Carry-over rules: Many employers allow you to carry unused days into the following year, but it’s best to check your specific contract or collective labor agreement.

  2. Public holidays

    • The official list usually includes:

      • 1 January & 2 January (New Year),

      • Easter Monday (Orthodox calendar),

      • 1 May (Labor Day),

      • 1 December (National Day),

      • Christmas (25 & 26 December), among others.

    • If your job requires you to work on a public holiday (e.g., in hospitality or emergency services), you are generally entitled to extra pay or compensatory rest days.

  3. Additional time off

    • Study leave: Some employers offer extra days if you’re pursuing formal education, but this depends on your contract or a collective labor agreement.

    • Special circumstances: Medical leave, maternity/paternity leave, or family-related leave can be arranged with proper documentation.

4. Unemployment benefits

  1. Eligibility

    • Contributory requirement: To claim unemployment allowance from ANOFM (Agenția Națională pentru Ocuparea Forței de Muncă), you must have contributed to the social insurance system for a certain period (usually a minimum of 12 months in the last 24 months).

    • Temporary protection: Being a refugee under temporary protection does not exclude you from receiving these benefits, as long as you meet contribution and registration conditions.

  2. Application steps

    • Register as unemployed: Go to your local AJOFM, present your work history and relevant documents.

    • Evidence of job seeking: Typically, you must be actively looking for new employment and participate in job placement activities or counseling sessions organized by AJOFM.

  3. Further details

    • ANOFM Website: anofm.ro

      • What you’ll find:

        • Application procedures, necessary documents, and local office addresses.

        • Info on other support measures, such as training courses or job fairs.

5. Workplace safety & anti-discrimination

  1. Workplace safety

    • Legal requirement: Romanian employers must comply with safety regulations (Securitate și Sănătate în Muncă – SSM). This includes providing protective equipment if needed, training staff on hazards, and keeping the workspace free from recognized dangers.

    • Who enforces it:

      • Inspectia Muncii – can conduct audits or respond to worker complaints about unsafe conditions.

      • If you notice violations (e.g., being forced to work without proper gear), you can file a confidential complaint.

  2. Anti-discrimination protections

    • Protected grounds: Nationality, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity cannot be used to discriminate in hiring, pay, promotion, or treatment at work.

    • Complaint channels:

      • National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD): cncd.ro – receives and investigates discrimination claims.

      • Labor inspection: For issues linked to pay, contract terms, or working conditions.

    • Retaliation is illegal: If you speak up about discrimination, your employer cannot lawfully punish you, demote you, or terminate your contract just for making a complaint.

  3. Harassment & bullying

    • Romanian law also addresses workplace harassment or mobbing. If an employer or coworkers create a hostile environment, you can seek recourse via official channels (like CNCD or labor courts).

  • Ministry of Labor: mmuncii.ro

    • What you’ll find:

      • Updates on the minimum wage, legislative changes, and policies impacting refugees and other workers.

      • Official announcements on social and employment programs.

  • ProtectieUcraina: protectieucraina.gov.ro/1/

    • Useful for:

      • Clarifications on your legal right to work under temporary protection.

      • Accessing child allowance or other social benefits if you have dependents.

  • Jobs4Ukr: jobs4ukr.com/romania

    • Aggregates job listings specifically for Ukrainian refugees, offers step-by-step guides on legal aspects, plus counseling or NGO referrals for labor disputes.

  • Collective labor agreements

    • If your employer is part of an industry-level agreement, you may get additional benefits (extra paid leave, meal vouchers, better pay for overtime). Always check or ask your HR department for details.

With a proper written contract, you’re entitled to the full array of Romanian labor protections, including minimum wage guarantees, paid vacations, and social security coverage. If disputes arise—such as unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, or discrimination—official bodies like Labor Inspection (Inspectia Muncii) and CNCD exist to defend your rights. Familiarizing yourself with these protections, maintaining good communication with your employer, and seeking help from NGOs or legal experts when needed ensures you can work confidently and securely as a Ukrainian refugee or temporary protection holder in Romania.

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