Romanian Government Publishes Draft Legislation Implementing The EU Pay Transparency Directive

Starting July 1, 2026, Romania will implement significant changes to its minimum wage policy, raising the gross minimum salary while simultaneously reducing tax exemption benefits. These adjustments will impact both employers and employees across the country, affecting payroll calculations and net income for minimum wage workers.

Romania's Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026 fundamentally transforms the employment framework for foreign nationals, introducing a digital "single application" system, two distinct work visa categories, and mandatory recruitment agency authorization. Will these sweeping changes streamline foreign worker employment or create new compliance challenges for Romanian employers navigating shortage occupation lists, financial guarantees, and extensive reporting obligations?

On 27 April 2026, Government Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 (“the Ordinance”) regarding the access of foreign nationals to the Romanian labour market entered into force.

August 2025 – Starting 1 October 2025, the use of the REGES-Online platform will become mandatory for all employers in Romania.

Romania's legislative process for transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive introduces comprehensive obligations for employers to establish equal pay systems, disclose salary information during recruitment, and report gender pay gaps. These new requirements transform pay transparency from a compliance checkbox into a critical risk management tool, as workers gain enhanced rights to information and compensation for pay discrimination.

On 30 March 2026, the Romanian government published a revised version of its draft law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive 2023/970).

Since 2000, Romania has been the recipient of significant foreign investment, garnering more foreign investment than any other central and southeastern European country.

Employers must maintain individual employment contracts at the workplace, but electronic storage is now permitted under specific conditions. The electronic copy requires more than simple scanning—it must be electronically signed and certified as a true copy by the employer's legal representative or authorized person. This requirement establishes clear standards for digital record-keeping compliance in employment documentation.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive introduces new obligations for employers regarding salary disclosure and confidentiality clauses. While individual salaries won't be made public, employers must justify pay differences through objective criteria and may need to revise internal confidentiality policies. The directive limits the use of confidentiality clauses that prevent employees from discussing their own remuneration for the purpose of verifying equal pay rights.

Starting July 1, 2026, Romania introduces a new calculation method for medical leave benefits that extend across multiple months. When sick leave crosses into a new month and exceeds the 7-day or 8-14 day thresholds, the resulting benefit differences will be included in the income of the month they are determined, rather than being declared retroactively.

The UK Home Secretary has confirmed that the revised earned settlement policy will be published before the end of 2026, following her appearance before the Home Affairs Committee. This announcement provides clarity on the timeline for implementing significant changes to the UK immigration system, including transitional arrangements and the extension of the default settlement period from five to ten years.

The UK Home Office has introduced significant changes to its Immigration Rules, including new protections for Skilled Worker visa holders who are victims of modern slavery, measures to prevent abuse of fee waiver processes, and updates to support the UK's participation in Erasmus+ from January 2027. These changes also expand permitted activities for visitors coming to the UK for training or creative purposes.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive has unveiled sweeping employment law reforms in the 2026 Policy Address, introducing statutory protections for delivery workers, tightening imported labour controls, and accelerating MPF system changes. These measures reflect the Government's commitment to protecting local workers while addressing the challenges of an ageing workforce and evolving labour market dynamics.

As 2026 begins, Ireland's immigration system is entering a period of significant recalibration, with new remuneration thresholds for employment permits, tougher family reunification rules...

The UK consumer law landscape is undergoing rapid transformation as the CMA exercises its new direct enforcement powers under the DMCC Act 2024, with subscription contract regulations accelerated...

A Hong Kong director was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay HK$93,000 in outstanding wages after her companies failed to pay employees on time. The case demonstrates that corporate officers can face serious criminal liability, including fines up to HK$350,000 and three years' imprisonment, when employment law breaches occur with their consent, connivance, or neglect.

A High Court ruling examines a contentious dispute between a video game developer and publisher over milestone-based funding and "step in" rights for the first-person shooter Six Days in Fallujah. With over $50 million in development costs at stake and allegations of conspiracy to acquire proprietary source code, the court declined to grant either party interim control of the game's development, leaving both sides without the "keys to the kingdom" pending a full trial.

Hong Kong's debt recovery landscape has become increasingly challenging, with corporate insolvencies rising 45% in 2025 and bankruptcy petitions climbing to over 10,000. This comprehensive guide explores the legal pathways available to creditors, from initial demand letters to enforcement mechanisms, and examines when civil litigation versus insolvency proceedings may be the most effective strategy for recovering outstanding debts.

Lewis Silkin launches Lettu, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionize how creators, talent managers, agencies and brands negotiate and finalize commercial deals.

The Hong Kong Government has announced a 2.35% increase in the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic workers, raising it from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month effective October 2026. This adjustment follows the government's annual review considering economic performance, labour market conditions, and stakeholder input, with specific implementation timelines for new and existing employment contracts.