The alarming increase in the number of accidents at work in Romania is drawing the attention of the People’s Advocate, who is proposing a series of legislative and administrative changes aimed at strengthening worker protection. The recently published special report highlights serious vulnerabilities in the current occupational safety and health (SSM) system and calls for urgent action.
These proposals are relevant to all employers, regardless of sector, as they directly affect their legal responsibilities. If adopted, the changes will influence the way in which the prevention, investigation and compensation of accidents at work and occupational diseases are carried out.
What the People’s Advocate proposes
The report proposes to update the legislation in at least three major areas:
- Simplifying access to benefits for victims
Improvements to the legislative framework on social security for workers are called for. The aim is to facilitate access to benefits following accidents at work and occupational diseases through clearer and faster administrative procedures.
- Efficient document circulation
The current bureaucratic system makes it difficult both to register accidents and to pay compensation. The People’s Advocate calls for the digitisation and standardisation of the circuit of documents necessary for the recognition of accidents and the granting of rights.
- Strengthening the institutional capacity of the CNPP and ITM
It is proposed to strengthen the territorial structures of the National Public Pensions Office and the territorial labour inspectorates by allocating adequate human and logistical resources.
At the same time, attention is drawn to the insurer’s difficult access to workplaces and the reluctance of some employers to cooperate in prevention work. Stricter regulation of employers’ obligations to allow access to specialised prevention personnel is proposed.
- Why it matters for employers
The People’s Advocate reaffirms, on the basis of a decision of the Constitutional Court, that the full responsibility for the application of labour protection measures lies with the employer. It is not employees who are to blame for the lack of measures, but employers who fail to implement them.
This approach is in line with Directive 89/391/EEC and European principles on health and safety at work. So in the event of an accident, the authorities will first analyse whether the employer has fulfilled its legal obligations before considering other causes.
What’s next
Although the People’s Advocate’s report does not have legislative power, it has been forwarded to the Parliament and the Government and may form the basis for future amendments to the SSM Law (No 319/2006) and Law 346/2002 on insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases.
Employers must be prepared for:
- Clearer requirements for investigating workplace accidents;
- stricter reporting and resolution deadlines
- more rigorous controls by the authorities;
- stronger co-operation obligations with prevention experts.
Conclusion
The People’s Advocate is sounding an important wake-up call: the current legislation is insufficient to truly protect workers. The proposals put forward emphasise real prevention, effective support for victims and making employers responsible.
In this context, the collaboration with specialists in SSM becomes essential. Practitioners can provide support in updating internal procedures, producing documentation and adapting to possible legislative changes. More than a legal obligation, a solid accident prevention policy
becomes an investment in the safety, image and sustainability of the business.