The overall level of Romanian salaries is 25% higher than in Bulgaria, while for production and middle management positions Serbians are better paid than Romanians, says Cristina Pasat, general manager with the Agentia de Servicii Professional recruitment firm, which ranks fourth on the market in terms of turnover.
On the other hand, workforce costs remain lower in Bulgaria, due to the country's greater appeal to investors over Romania.
Agentia de Servicii Professional remains the only Romanian-held company, among the top ten recruitment companies, with a domestic presence. The company has three regional offices in Bulgaria, Serbia and the Republic of Moldova. The Belgrade office was opened in 2002 and covers the regions of Serbia and Montenegro, proving to be the most profitable of the company's foreign offices.
Although for certain positions and hierarchical levels the domestic wage market tops other countries in the region, Cristina Pasat believes Romania is currently coping with a workforce crisis, which is the direct result of the fact that employers avoid to increase salaries.
"The rich amount of jobs on offer, in itself, is creating salary increases," explains Pasat.
In addition, Pasat adds that, according to a survey conducted with Romanians working abroad, most respondents say they would return to Romania if they earned 40% of what they earned abroad.
Nevertheless, the Romanian workforce market has boasted the fastest regional growth rate at least in terms of the emergence of new professions and salary increases.
Market sectors where the shortage of specialists is felt most strongly are production and constructions. "The best solution would be to raise salaries. We are not suggesting major increases, but smaller percentage levels, of 10-15%. However, employers try to avoid implementing these changes, because it entails price increases. Another solution would be to locate production facilities in areas with a high unemployment rate," adds the general manager of Professional.
Agentia de Servicii Professional operates three main lines of business: recruitment and selection, personnel leasing, training and operational organisation. The company was formed in 1995 and last year generated a turnover worth 4.3 million euros.
Agentia de Servicii Professional has 65 full-time employees in Romania and around 2,500-3,000 leased employees. An additional 11 people work in their regional offices.
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