2011年-世界发展银行全球_Romania_-_Functional_Review___Labor_and_Social_Protection_Sector_Final_Report_Volume_2_143页_2mb

Summary of Romania Functional Review - Labor & Social Protection Sector

Core Content

The Romania Functional Review on the Labor and Social Protection (L&SP) sector was conducted by the World Bank in 2011, in collaboration with the Government of Romania (GOR) and the European Commission (EC). The review aimed to evaluate the functioning of the L&SP sector, identify challenges and opportunities, and develop a short- and medium-term action plan to improve its effectiveness. The report is divided into two volumes, with Volume II providing detailed diagnostics, assessments, and findings.

Main Sector Features

1. The L&SP sector is large, complex, and highly sensitive, covering labor market policies, pensions, and social assistance. It accounts for 14.16% of GDP and covers 84% of the population through at least one social protection program.
2. The sector faces significant challenges, including:
   • Labor market flexibility
   • Long-term sustainability of the pension system
   • Equitable access to social assistance
3. These challenges were exacerbated by staff reductions and public wage cuts in 2010, but the context also provided opportunities for reform.
4. Major reforms include:
   • A new pensions law (Law 263/2010) to improve the financial sustainability of the pension system.
   • A unified wage system for public sector employees through two laws (Law 284/2010 and Law 285/2010).
   • A comprehensive social assistance reform strategy launched in March 2011, focusing on vulnerable groups.
   • A revised Labor Code (Law 40/2011) to enable more flexible labor market relationships.

Institutional Mapping

5. The Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection (MoLFSP) is the central authority for the L&SP sector, responsible for:
   • Labor market policies and relations
   • Social insurances (pensions and unemployment)
   • Social inclusion and social assistance
6. The MoLFSP has undergone significant reorganization since the transition to a market economy, evolving from a centralized structure to a more decentralized one with specialized agencies handling specific areas.
7. Key agencies under MoLFSP include:
   • National Agency for Employment (NAE)
   • National House for Pensions (NHPP)
   • National Agency for Social Benefits (NASB)
   • Labor Inspection (LI)
8. Decentralization has led to the establishment of:
   • General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection (GDSACP) under county councils
   • Public Services for Social Assistance (PSSA) under city and commune councils
9. These structures are financed by local budgets, making it difficult to get a comprehensive view of the entire social assistance system.

Staffing and Organizational Structure

10. After the 2010 restructuring, the MoLFSP's organizational structure became more complex, with:

• 7 departments (284 staff) directly coordinated by the Minister
• 4 national agencies (NHPP, NAE, NASB, LI) under direct coordination
• 2 Secretaries of State managing only 2 departments (120 and 146 staff)
• Secretary General managing 109 staff

11. The staff ratio for administrative functions is currently 23.6%, which is higher than the EU average of 20%.
12. Professional development within the MoLFSP is limited, with no formal system in place for training and career progression.
13. Temporary appointments of managers are common, leading to job insecurity and politicization of management roles.
14. A revised organizational structure is recommended, including the creation of a new Secretary of State to rebalance coordination and decision-making.

Sector Financing

15. The L&SP sector is financed from multiple sources, including:

• Social insurance contributions
• State funds for social assistance
• Local funds (own revenues and equalization grants)
• State funds for Programs of National Importance
• EU funds through the Sector Operational Program for Human Resources Development (SOP HRD)

16. The SOP HRD has a total budget of EUR 3.47 billion, with 79.44% of the total commitment (EUR 2.76 billion) and only 1.85% reimbursement (EUR 64.53 million) as of December 2010.
17. The absorption rate of EU funds in Romania is low, ranging from 1.6% to 6.2%, with the SOP HRD being one of the lowest performers.

Information Management

18. The sector lacks an integrated information management platform, with three separate systems for pensions, labor market, and social assistance.
19. Interoperability between these systems is limited, and the Ministry must manually request data via email.
20. An overall information management vision is needed to integrate all systems and support daily operations.
21. The MoLFSP should establish a specialized Chief Information Office to assist in the development and implementation of such a system, aligning it with the eGovernment platform.

Recommendations

22. Strengthen the MoLFSP's capacity to manage the transition from cash benefits to social services.
23. Improve professional development and create a formal system for training and career progression.
24. Discontinue temporary management appointments and introduce open-ended appointments after an initial probation period.
25. Establish an information management platform to enhance data sharing and decision-making.
26. Enhance collaboration between the MoLFSP and its subordinate agencies to ensure the integration of all systems.
27. Develop a public communication strategy to explain reforms and their impact to the public and media.

Key Points

• The L&SP sector is a major component of public administration in Romania.
• Decentralization has created a complex institutional landscape.
• The SOP HRD is a key EU-funded program, but its absorption rate is low.
• Staffing and organizational structure are inefficient and unbalanced.
• Information management is fragmented, and a central platform is needed.
• Public communication and professional development are critical areas for improvement.

Conclusion

The functional review highlights the need for reforms in institutional structure, staffing, and information management to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the L&SP sector in Romania. The recommendations focus on enhancing coordination, professionalizing management, and modernizing information systems to align with EU standards and improve public service delivery.