The measures in the train ordinance hit pensioners hard

In 2025, the Romanian government will implement austerity measures, including freezing the pensions and salaries of budget workers. According to government sources cited by G4Media, pensioners on low and middle incomes could receive a one-time aid to offset the impact of these measures.

The ordinance that will regulate these measures is to be adopted on Monday and includes other cost-saving measures, such as the suspension of employment in the public sector and the elimination of vacation vouchers and bonuses granted to budget workers. The main purpose of these measures is to stop the increase in state spending in 2025, in the context of concerns related to fiscal sustainability.

The main measures to stop budget expenditures:

• pensions do not increase, they remain at the level of November 2024. The measure also applies to special pensioners from the judiciary, the aeronautical field, military pensions, etc.
• freezing the salaries of budget workers at the level of November 2024
• freezing social benefits by freezing the social reference index
• freezing the incomes of dignitaries at the level of November 2024
• child benefits remain at the November 2024 level
• the food allowance granted to some budget categories remains at the level of November 2024
• overtime working hours of budget workers will be compensated exclusively by days off, they will not be paid
• leave not taken by budget workers will no longer be compensated in money
• budget workers will not be able to receive premiums and bonuses
• all budget vouchers are removed, except for nurseries
• the transport expenses of budget employees will no longer be settled
• state employment is frozen, with some exceptions
• 5-year staggering of salary rights. Non-compliance by judges or bailiffs will be considered disciplinary misconduct
• limiting to 6 free train journeys for pensioners and employees of companies within the Ministry of Transport
  the party subsidy drops by 25% compared to 2024

As for the 2025 budget, it will be adopted by the government in January and sent to Parliament for adoption in an extraordinary session also in January, said the quoted sources.

The 2025 budget will include increased allowances for war widows, veterans and war invalids.

Government efficiency measures aim to reduce state spending by at least 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).