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<\/a><\/p>\nA labour inspector today must cover a territory three times larger than that of a colleague 16 years ago \u2014 with more responsibilities, more procedures and far more complex working conditions.<\/p>\n
If in 2008 a Bucharest inspector oversaw around 5,600 workers on average, by 2024 that figure has risen to approximately 14,700. This is not a metaphor, but reflects figures published directly by the Labour Inspection.<\/p>\n
A national issue, not just a capital city problem<\/p>\n
Annual Reports of the Labour Inspection, analysed by county, show that the reduction in inspector numbers has affected almost the entire country between 2010 and 2024.<\/p>\n
The largest relative decreases are recorded in counties with growing economies \u2014 where the number of workers has increased significantly, but the number of inspectors overseeing them has moved in the opposite direction. This means that where occupational safety and health risks are more numerous and diverse, institutional inspection capacity is under the greatest pressure.<\/p>\n
A few counties have seen increases in inspector numbers compared to 2010, but these are isolated exceptions that do not change the national picture. Overall, Romania now has a significantly smaller body of labour inspectors than it did 15 years ago.<\/p>\n
The long-term situation does not appear to be improving, as public sector hiring remains restricted due to austerity, and public trust in inspection mechanisms is low. Highly publicised cases of inspectors involved in illegal or unethical behaviour have further reduced confidence in the institution.<\/p>\n
Those who carry out their duties and strive to uphold occupational safety and health principles are overshadowed by these scandals, as well as by staff shortages and a lack of state vision in labour policy.<\/p>\n
What does this mean in practice?<\/p>\n
The shortage of labour inspectors is not an abstract organisational issue \u2014 it has direct, concrete consequences for every worker in Romania:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Inspections are carried out less frequently.
o An inspector responsible for a far larger portfolio than a decade ago cannot check each employer as often as needed.
o Employers who break the law are therefore less likely to be caught and sanctioned \u2014 not due to lack of will, but lack of capacity.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Accident investigations take longer.
o When a workplace incident occurs, the official investigation falls to inspectors.
o With fewer staff available, timelines are extended.
o In the period between an accident and the conclusion of the investigation, the conditions that caused it may remain unchanged, exposing other workers to the same risks.<\/p>\n
Underreporting remains a structural problem. There are persistent concerns that many accidents go unreported or are misclassified to avoid sanctions. The informal economy, undeclared work and excessive subcontracting all contribute to this.<\/p>\n
For example, in recent weeks tramline modernisation works have been carried out by workers without adequate protective equipment. Welding has been done without protective masks, exposing workers to toxic substances that can lead over time to serious health complications and shorter lives. Such cases often remain invisible.<\/p>\n
A larger and better-distributed inspectorate is the only real lever to address this issue. Without it, official statistics risk consistently appearing better than the reality they reflect.<\/p>\n
What can we do on 28 April?<\/p>\n
28 April is not just a date in the calendar. It is a moment to recognise that improving working conditions is a collective goal, shaped by long struggles, and to reflect on how much more must be done to protect workers\u2019 lives and health.<\/p>\n
The Annual Reports of the Labour Inspection provide Romanian authorities with all the data needed to understand the scale of the problem. There is no excuse for ignorance.<\/p>\n
The decline in inspector numbers has been publicly and consistently documented for over a decade. What is missing is not information, but political will to treat labour inspection as a governing priority rather than an easy budget cut.<\/p>\n
Current demands to address the issue are clear:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 unblocking vacant posts;
\u00b7 creating salary conditions that attract and retain qualified inspectors;
\u00b7 establishing genuine social dialogue on OSH policies \u2014 not formal consultation, but real negotiation with trade unions playing a decision-making role.<\/p>\n
Moreover, simply hiring more inspectors will not solve the problem if their professional training remains inadequate. Alongside increasing staff numbers, rebuilding public trust in the authority is essential.<\/p>\n
An eroded labour inspectorate cannot fulfil this role, and the data from the Annual Reports confirm it. What we do with this information depends on us.<\/p>\n
Analiza Cartel ALFA\u00a0<\/em>\ud83d\udc47<\/em><\/p>\n
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