The wages received by employees in the private sector in Romania went up by an average 10% in the first half of the year, compared to the same period in 2015.

The bonuses received by employees also went up by 16% year-on-year, according to a report by HR company Smartree, quoted by local Agerpres.

Extra-salary benefits became more common among companies in the first six month of the year, both the monthly ones, such as food vouchers, medical or gym subscriptions, as well as occasional benefits, such as gift vouchers, premiums on various occasions.

The number of days off taken by employees during this period rose by 19% compared to the same period in 2015.

The industries which saw the biggest salary increases were the ones that pay the minimum wage, such as the retail & logistics sectors. The minimum gross wage went up by 19%, to RON 1,250 (EUR 278), on May 1.

The IT companies, which find it more difficult to find employees, have also increased the wages.

IMF: Minimum wage increases faster than productivity in Romania

editor@romania-insider.com