Romania: construction unions and employers bargain for their next social agreement, providing a rare example of social partnership in the country

Negotiations are at full steam between Romanian construction unions and employers to set the bases for the next social agreement governing the SADEC in 2010-13. System of Sectoral Self-regulation in Construction initiated by the FGS (General Federation of Trade Unions) and the Romanian Association of Construction Entrepreneurs (ARACO), the SASEC is now composed of six entities, all working as foundations, and offers a wide range of services regarding social protection, training, safety at work or support for foreign workers. The SASEC, completely independent from the State, is financed and operated by a solid partnership between unions and employers, unique in Romania. FGS leader Dan Cristecu thinks that 25-30% of construction workers are covered by SASEC.