The number of Romanians working without a labour contract in place, on the so called 'black market' has stayed flat over the first tent months of 2013, at some 13,600, according to data from the Labour Ministry, quoted by Mediafax newswire.

The Ministry gathered data about the black labour market via controls at various companies.

In 2012, inspectors found 14,300 people who worked without a labour contract, and applied fines to over 5,500 companies that were using illegal workers. The total fines applied in 2012 were of some EUR 19.3 million, while in the first ten months of this year, companies found to be working illegally had to pay some EUR 15.3 million in fines.

Fines also went to people who agreed to work without the proper labour contracts, some EUR 7,800 in total.

Most of those working without the required contracts were found in Bucharest – 1,800 people, Bihor – 1,300, and Constanta county – 802.

According to Romania's labour code, it is considered a crime for a company to work with five individuals without labour contracts prior to start of activity.

editor@romania-insider.com