site.btaAmendments to Labour Code Strengthen Collective Bargaining Regulations

The government on Wednesday approved a bill amending the Labour Code to improve the regulatory framework related to collective bargaining. The main goal of the amendments is to encourage collective bargaining at the sectoral and branch level, thereby increasing the number of workers covered by improved working conditions.

The adopted changes respond to the downward trend in the number of effective collective labour agreements observed during the period 2011–2024. The amendments establish general principles and possible initiatives that the state, together with the social partners, may undertake to promote collective bargaining. They grant the Council of Ministers the authority, in cooperation with the social partners, to adopt a plan for promoting collective bargaining, which will include specific measures in this area.

The amendments also regulate the applicability of collective labour agreements concluded at sectoral or branch level to individuals, and allow for the possibility that such agreements, or specific provisions within them, may not apply to certain employers, in order to facilitate negotiations between social partners. Additionally, the amendments grant the General Labour Inspectorate the authority to monitor compliance with obligations under collective labour agreements concluded at sectoral or branch level.

The amendments ensure that national legislation is aligned with the requirements of Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union.