SOCIAL POLICIES AROUND THE MINIMUM WAGE IN ROMANIA DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Abstract

Given the current circumstances regarding the economic difficulties and uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the study of the evolution of the minimum wage is important in order to perform a radiography on the main trends, opportunities and problems in related social policies. The first and second part of the study bring upfront the importance of public policies on the minimum wage for ensuring a decent living and motivation of employees, for creating equal opportunities or access to the necessary resources for the poor. Through secondary data analysis, the third part of the study focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the changes in the minimum wages in Romania compared to other countries in the Balkans, as well as the recent evolution and correlation between the minimum wage and the present situation of employment from the labor market in Romania. The last part offers conclusions in order to clarify several problems aiming at the minimum wage policy under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the main limitations of the study was the multitude and complexity of the uncertainties related to the current pandemic context regarding the effects of the progress of the minimum wage at national and international level. © 2022