Question of the day

The collective agreement (the agriculture and food industry) has been supplemented by a chapter that will govern employment relations during and after exceptional situations.

In the Official Gazette of 4 September this year, the Joint Agreement Protocol of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and the Environment, the National Federation of Agricultural and Food Industry Employers’ Unions and the National Federation of Agricultural and Food Trade Unions ‘Agroindsind’ amending and supplementing the collective agreement (branch level) extended for the years 2017-2020 was published.

From the date of the declaration of the exceptional situation, the parties to the Convention shall comply with the requirements laid down by the Commission for Exceptional Situations, the authorised authorities and similar structures at local public authority level, ensuring that these requirements are met, including those relating to compliance with the rules governing the movement and work of employees, domestic work and/or teleworking in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Code.

The procedures for the implementation of the movement arrangements within and outside the undertaking will be regulated by issuance of an internal act by the employerwhich is brought to the attention of employees against signature.

The organisation of work at the entity and the monitoring of compliance with the rules of conduct and the provisions imposed by the exceptional situation shall be carried out by the employer jointly with the representatives of the trade union. If possible, during the exceptional situation, employees will work from home or remotely while maintaining the conditions of remuneration for work..

Employees of entities in the private sector who are not able to work in exceptional circumstances and who benefit from subsidies guaranteed by the State will receive unemployment benefit in the amount of a guaranteed minimum wage in the real sector of the economy. The Parties shall endeavour to ensure that employees have access to financial guarantees from the State, established for the period and after the exceptional situation, of the size of an average wage set for the real sector of the economy, regardless of ownership and form of organisation.

The document also provides that the Parties, by mutual agreement, will draw up and promote for approval a phased programme to overcome the period after the exceptional situation, in compliance with the security and hygiene measures, in particular for budgetary institutions, entities in related branches, entities in the food and processing industry with more than ten employees.

At the same time, the tariff wage for category I qualification in agriculture, manufacturing, including food and related industries (point 24 of the Convention) was increased to RON 2935 for agriculture (previously it was set at RON 2775).

Source: monitor.fisc.md