Observatory Romania: Office of employment and workplace quality observation

This is a research project on the Romanian labour market, its problems and features. The reports produced in the framework of the project, filled in a knowledge gap: in fact, there was not enough information and knowledge on these issues, although they are fundamental for political and economic programming. The research availed itself of the set-up of an Observatory that involved a total of about 200 companies, labour organisations and institutions.

Thematic reports were produced on the following key issues: working conditions, safety and health at work, job demand flexibility, social inclusion and income distribution, industrial relations, vocational education and training, invisible work, labour force productivity, and any labour market policies.

Information was then made available for free to member companies or organisations of the Observatory.

Specific objectives of the project were:

• Collection and spreading of information about labour market changes and modification of working conditions from employees’ perspective, with a focus on legislative evolutions
• Identification and transfer of national and transnational good practices in labour market policies
• Promotion of training and knowledge transfer among stakeholders involved in the project (representatives of employers, entrepreneurs’ organisations, employees’ representatives, trade unions, etc.)

As a result, the project contributed to:

• Improving capabilities and organisation of social actors in promoting safety and health standards at work as well as jobs’ quality
• Providing tools for monitoring and assessing labour market policies impacts
• Setting up a platform for knowledge exchange among employees
• Providing an improved institutional framework for a more effective dialogue and a participatory approach