The Ministry of Labor reports that in 2023, 511 petitions for harassment or discrimination in the workplace were registered with the labor inspectorate, compared to 137 registered in 2014. On Thursday, President Klaus Iohannis, News.ro reports. “Employees have the right to work in an environment where they are respected, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or political orientation,” Labor Minister Simona Bucura Oprescu said.

“According to the data of the Labor Inspectorate, in 2023, 511 appeals regarding harassment or discrimination at work were registered. According to the results of the inspections, 41 sanctions were applied, the total amount of fines was 18,000 lei. For comparison, 10 years ago, i.e. in 2014, only 137 referrals were registered,” the Ministry of Labor reported on Thursday evening.

The agency clarifies that the term “violence and harassment” includes, among others, physical violence, verbal abuse, stalking and mobbing, sexual harassment, threats, and stalking or stalking.

“The new legal framework protects both workers and people working regardless of their contractual status, people in training including trainees and apprentices, workers whose employment has ended, volunteers, people looking for work and those who submitted applications for employment, as well as persons who perform the powers, duties or responsibilities of the employer”, officials of the Ministry of Labor also sent.

“Employees have the right to work in an environment where they are respected regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin or political orientation. We are seeing more and more reports of harassment. It is necessary that the measures be firm, but proportional to the seriousness of these deviations. The law announced today aims to create conditions for a working environment in which the dignity of workers is respected,” said Simona Bucura-Oprescu, Minister of Labor and Social Solidarity.

The law on the ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence and Harassment at Work, initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity, was promulgated on Thursday. The bill was passed by the Senate, as the legislative chamber, on March 4, 2024.