BUCHAREST (Romania), June 4 (SeeNews) – Romania's hourly labour costs rose by 16.35% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019 and were 4.16% higher over the third quarter, the statistical board, INS, announced on Tuesday.
On an annual comparison basis, the hourly labour costs increased in all sectors of economic activity in the first quarter of 2019.
The highest increases of the hourly labour cost in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2018 were observed in education - by 32.51%, healthcare and social assistance - by 25.83%, due to salary hikes in this sector and in entertainment and cultural activities - by 20.97%.
The lowest increases were registered in real estate - by 5.15%.
As against the previous quarter, the highest increases in hourly labour costs in the first quarter of 2019 were observed in education - by 25.58%, determined by the application of legal basis, but also by school holidays and, consequently, to working time reduction. Next are construction - by 11.01% and in entertainment and cultural activities - by 9.36%.
The most significant decreases of the hourly labour cost were in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 6.97% and in transportation and storage - by 3.60%.