Background information

After being confronted with large number of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, the Romanian Government assessed the necessity of identifying solutions to facilitate the access of Ukrainian citizens to the Romanian labor market by creating the necessary legal framework for them to be able to ensure a source of income. It was considered that the integration of the refugees coming from Ukraine on the labor will have a positive effect on their integration in Romanian during the period which they are forced to remain on the territory of the country. It was also considered that this measure will lead to a relief of the state budget, since the Ukrainian citizens will have their own sources of income and will not rely on the Government's support.

Content of measure

The measure provides that Ukrainian citizens who have entered the territory of Romania have the right to work without a notice and without a visa. In addition, the measure provides that the Ukrainian citizens who do not have the documents proving their professional qualification or work experience can be employed for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension for another 6 months, based on a declaration on their own responsibility that they meet the criteria of professional qualification and have the necessary work experience.

The measure is not applicable to the Ukrainian citizens who wish to access or to practice independently or as an employee several professions, such as medical doctor, dentist, pharmacist, general medical practitioner, veterinarian and architect.

The Ukrainian citizens employed in Romania have access to the unemployment insurance system, as well as to the programs for the prevention of unemployment and for the stimulation of labor market integration. In order to access these programs, they must have be registered at the employment agencies under the conditions established for the Romanian citizens. For citizens who come from the conflict area and have documents proving their professional qualification for the professions of doctor, dentist, pharmacist, general nurse, etc. their diplomas and professional qualifications are recognized.

Use of measure

The latest data from the National Employment Agency released on the 11 May 2022 indicate that 759 Ukrainian citizens have registered themselves at the local employment agency, seeking a job. Out of these, 459 have been employed.

In addition, 271 employers have announced through the National Employment Agency a number of 4,079 vacancies.

Data released on the 17 April 2022 by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection indicate that between 24 February and 17 April a total number of 1,891 Ukrainian citizens have been employed in Romania, 40% of these have been employed in the manufacturing industry.

According to the data provided by the Romanian government on 13 January 2023, 5,007 Ukrainian citizens are currently working and registered in General Register of Employee Records (REVISAL) in Romania; 1,300 Ukrainian citizens were mentored during the socio-occupational integration process; 5 job fairs organized with over 700 beneficiaries.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Migrants or refugees in employment	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public employment service	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There is no publicly available information about the social partners' involvement in designing, implementing and monitoring the measure.

Views and reactions

There is no publicly available information on the views or reactions of the social partners on the content/design of the measure.

Sources

• 08 March 2022: Government Emergency ordinance 20/2022 (legislatie.just.ro)
• 13 January 2023: Romania's Response to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis (Răspunsul României la criza umanitară a refugiaților ucraineni) (www.gov.ro)