The gross wages at private companies increased by a year-on-year average of 6.79% in the first six months of 2020, according to PwC Romania’s PayWell Salary and Benefits 2020 Survey.
The respondents estimated that the reported level of increases would be maintained until the end of the year. For 2021, private companies estimate a year-on-year 4.68% average gross wage increase.
Of the industries represented in the study, the retail sector recorded the highest average wage growth, of 9.87%, followed by banking with 7.39%. The pharmaceutical sector recorded a below survey-average increase of 4.17%.
In terms of staff categories, the trend of increasing wages amongst unskilled or low-skilled personnel (workers, operators) continues, as an average of 7.32%, but even that is a reduction from last year’s growth rate in excess of 10%.
In 2020, operational management position salaries increased by 7%, with top management’s growing by 6.72%. At the other end of the scale, administrative staff, technicians and employees with little experience saw their salaries rise by 6.6%.
In terms of benefits, meal tickets, additional days off, medical subscriptions, free coffee and refreshments, and special occasion bonuses continue to be in the top of preferences.
To reduce costs since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, 49% of the companies surveyed implemented work from home policies, 29% worked in shifts, 5% reduced working time and 5% implemented furloughs.