Your rights at work

The essentials

In Romania, a foreign worker has the same working conditions, the same pay and the same safety as a Romanian worker doing the same job.

What the law guarantees you

• Your contract, in two languages: in Romanian and in a language you understand.
• Your salary, in your account: it is paid into the worker’s bank account.
• Housing has a limit: if your employer provides it, the rent cannot be more than 25% of your net salary.
• Safety: your employer must give you safety training in a language you understand, and protective equipment.
• Free Romanian lessons: your employer must give you Romanian lessons and orientation about the country for at least 6 months, with at least 6 hours a week.
• The agency does not charge you: an authorised placement agency in Romania cannot charge you commissions, fees, guarantees or deposits.
• The right to complain: you must have access to a procedure to make complaints and report abuse.

Signs of abuse

• Someone keeps your passport.
• You are asked to sign documents you do not understand.
• You are paid in cash, less than agreed or late.
• You are charged more than 25% of your net salary for housing.
• You are threatened with losing your permit, or with being reported, if you complain.

Where to get help

• If you are in danger: call 112.
• To report an agency or an employer: on WorkinRomania, in the reports section. The competent institutions review them.
• Problems with pay, hours or safety: the Labour Inspectorate (Inspecția Muncii), which has an office in each county (ITM).
• If you are forced to work or kept against your will: the free anti-trafficking line, 0800 800 678. Sources do not agree on its opening hours: if nobody answers, call 112.

The Help section has these contacts together.

If you want to change jobs or you lose your job

• You can change employer by resigning after working at least 6 months. Before that, only in justified cases of serious breach by the employer.
• If your contract ends, you can generally stay in Romania for up to 90 days to find another job.
• If you came through an agency, in that time it must try to offer you at least two job offers.
• Any change of employer or address, or the end of the contract, must be reported to the authorities.

The guide Changing employer or losing your job explains it in detail.