Romania: bill tabled to create leave allowances for caregivers and family emergencies

The Romanian government has tabled a bill that will introduce various amendments to the country’s labour code, with a view to transposing, by the start of August, the European directive on transparent and predictable working conditions (see article n°11253) and that on work-life balance for parents and carers (see article n°11231). The text of the draft law, which was assessed by the Senate at the end of June, requires employers to provide more information in individual employment contracts. In particular it would allow employees, at the end of their trial period and with at least six months of service at the company, to apply for a vacant job that would give them “more predictable and secure working conditions”. Among other major changes, the text increases the duration of paternity leave to 10 working days instead of five at present (see article n°13121). The bill will also create a caregiver leave allowance, which can only be granted to employees who need provide care or support to a relative – child, mother, father or spouse – for a “serious medical reason”. Employers that refuse to grant either of these two leave allowances face paying a fine of between 4,000 Lei (€809 euros) and 8,000 Lei (€1,618). Lastly, the bill introduces a leave entitlement of up to 10 days in the event of family emergencies, such as illness or accident, provided that the period of absence is subsequently made up. The text must now be adopted by the Chamber of Deputies.