Romania has expressed readiness to create a new pathway to employ about 30,000 skilled Indian professionals every year, in response to the country’s acute labour shortages. This development was announced after high-level meetings in Bucharest between India’s Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, and Romania’s Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Petre-Florin Manole.

The discussions and agreements aim at strengthening the economic partnership between India and Romania, focusing especially on addressing critical gaps in Romania’s labour market. Currently, Romania requires approximately 100,000 non-EU workers every year. The country has been facing workforce shortages in various vital sectors, especially construction, IT, postal and courier services, and hospitality. The decision to create a structured pathway for Indian professionals comes as both countries recognise the complementary nature of India’s growing skilled workforce and Romania’s economic needs.

Strengthening Mobility and Economic Cooperation

Under this new initiative, the two countries are committed to promoting safe, orderly, and responsible migration of skilled professionals. The agreement covers a range of supportive measures. Both sides agreed to streamline recruitment processes, offer language and vocational training, and standardise employment contracts to ensure fair working conditions. There will also be fast-track processing for employment permits, specifically for verified employers, to reduce bureaucratic delays for Indian workers.

Officials are tasked with exploring the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, making it easier for Indian professionals to have their skills formally accepted in Romania. Discussions also include the possibility of a social security agreement that would help protect migrant workers’ benefits and ensure certainty for their families. The new arrangement is expected to boost people-to-people links between the two countries by fostering cooperation in higher education, research, and cultural exchanges as well.

India’s Growing Role in Global Skilled Migration

The agreement comes at a time when India has already become the largest source of migrants to many OECD countries. In 2024 alone, over six lakh Indians emigrated abroad seeking better opportunities. At present, nearly 15,000 Indian professionals, mostly in IT and construction, are already working in Romania. The new pathway will dramatically expand this number and strengthen bilateral ties.

The Indian government sees this as a significant step to leverage its demographic dividend by tapping into global opportunities for its skilled workforce. On the other hand, Romania looks to fill gaps in its own market and maintain its economic momentum. The focus on skills-based mobility showcases a shared commitment to long-term investment in human capital, economic growth, and sustainable international cooperation.

Policy Implementation

All elements of the pathway, from recruitment to social security, will be subject to new cooperation frameworks between India and Romania. Regular official meetings and stakeholder discussions are expected to follow to fine-tune processes and ensure that the scheme operates efficiently. The overarching goal is to make the migration process safe, fair, and beneficial to both countries.

Both nations hope the new agreement will set a benchmark for responsible international labour mobility and create a robust model that can be replicated in other sectors or countries facing similar workforce challenges. The enhanced cooperation in labour mobility and trade, along with continued efforts to address mutual recognition and workers’ welfare, point towards a dynamic and evolving India–Romania partnership in the years to come.​

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