Romania To Raise Salaries, Pensions by 5.0% in 2009

"In 2009 salaries and pensions will be increased by the inflation rate, meaning by 5.0% [...] by 3.0% from April, to be paid in May, and by 2.0% on October 1, to be paid in November," Boc told a news conference.

Romania's bipartite coalition cabinet discussed the 2009 budget draft on Thursday but despite its promise to finally adopt the draft and send it to parliament Boc said that further consultations with trade unions will be held next week before submitting the dradt to the lawmakers.

Romania's parliament approved a 50% rise in teachers' wages last year, just before the November 30 general election. The parties of the current government coalition, the Democrat-Liberals and the Social Democrats, vowed at the time they would fulfil the parliament decision once they come to power.