Press Review - November 28, 2018

11.28.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian Finance Minister Proposes Limit to Labor Rights Within EU

Romanian finance minister Eugen Teodorovici said Tuesday he proposed his counterparts from other EU member states a five-year limit for labor rights of workers in foreign countries, to help tackle the problem of labor migration in poorer member states.

The minister proposed a common labor permit which would limit workers' rights to five years abroad in a single country, to limit internal labor migration within the union.

“There would be a limited duration work permit in all countries. (…) Maximum five years and goodbye, after that you go to another country and search for a job,” said the Romanian finance minister during a conference regarding the workforce shortage in Romania.

Teodorovici argued the measure would help lower the gap between poorer and richer EU countries and would strengthen social cohesion between regions. The minister also specified that, unlike western countries, Romania needs a scheme to help with the return of migrant workers.

One in Four Romanians Borrows Money to Pay Monthly Bills

One in four Romanians (26%) borrows money to stay on top of monthly bills, according to a European report on consumer payment behaviors.

People borrow money from friends (42%), family (37%) or banks (30%). The report shows 35% of people borrowing money to pay monthly bills have at least one child under 18 as a dependent.

The report also shows 59% of Romanians save money every month and the average value of monthly savings is RON480 (EUR104). Romania ranks last but one in the EU by the value of savings, while Switzerland is at the top, with average monthly savings of EUR590.

Of those who save, 65% are men. Romanians save money for unforeseen expenses (75%), vacations (42%) or property acquisitions (13%).

Romania in for Harsh Winter with -30 Degrees C, Blizzards

Romania is in for the harshest winter in recent years, with temperatures going as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius and blizzards.

Until the end of December, temperatures will stay well below the statistical average for this period.

Next week, temperatures will drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius in mountain areas.