Bogdan Hossu, leader of union confederation Cartel Alfa, said after the meeting that the budget will provide “pessimistic” growth, to allow the economy to react to an unexpected turn of events. The budget will also make no changes to fiscal policy, although the tax base may be enlarged, Hossu added.
The prime minister also said no salary or pension raises should be expected, at least until the second half of 2012.
According to Hossu, Boc said employers and unions should “forget” about lower taxation measures, specifically reduced social security contributions, or the introduction of differentiated taxation.
The employers’ representatives asked the Government to adopt measures encouraging lending to the private sector and stated that the business environment prefers a realistic budget.
A Government press release says next year’s budget is based on a deficit of no more than 3%, according to ESA.
A new meeting between the Government, employers, and unions is to take place two weeks from now, to discuss the final budget draft and next year’s minimum wage.