The sector lost about 30,000 people during the crisis, reaching some 175,000 last year. What made companies start hiring again was the 5% reduction in the social security tax paid by employers as of October last year and the optimism induced by the food VAT cut as of June this year.
“One of the best decisions made in recent years is the social security tax cut. We’ve reached 2,200 employees from 1,800 at the end of last year,” said Radu Timis, chairman and shareholder of Cris-Tim, one of the largest food industry groups in Romania.
“Moreover, we used the money thus saved to give raises, which made employees happier and more productive.”
As a result of the hiring in the food and beverage sectors, Romania had 1.2% more employees in the second quarter compared with the year-ago period, according to market research company Food Drink Europe.
Romania ranks 6th by growth in this department in the European Union, and the top three countries are Ireland (6.8%), Estonia (5%) and Finland (3.3%).
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)