The Romanian Competition Council has imposed substantial fines on eight companies for engaging in anti-competitive agreements that restricted employee mobility and manipulated labor costs. The total sanctions amount to over €32 million, marking a significant enforcement action against so-called “no-poaching” practices in Romania.
The Council’s investigation revealed that several major players in the automotive and engineering sectors colluded to avoid competing for specialized personnel. Companies involved included local and international firms operating in vehicle production, engineering services, and technical consultancy, including major names such as Automobile-Dacia, Renault Technologie Roumanie, Alten Si-Techno Romania, Akkodis Romania, Bertrandt Engineering Technologies, Expleo Romania, FEV ECE Automotive, and Segula Technologies. Among them, Automobile-Dacia and Renault Technologie Roumanie received the highest penalties, exceeding €16 million combined, while the remaining firms were fined smaller but still significant amounts, ranging from around €270,000 to €2.2 million. According to the authority, these firms agreed not to recruit each other’s employees without prior consent, effectively dividing the labor market and undermining natural competition for talent.
“This is the first case in which we have sanctioned practices that prevent companies from competing for specialized labor,” said Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council. “Human resources are a critical component of market competition. Practices like these are damaging both to the economy, by creating artificial barriers, and to employees, whose career mobility is unfairly restricted.”
The investigation was triggered by a complaint submitted through the Competition Whistleblowers Platform. One of the companies involved applied for the Council’s leniency program, providing key evidence that helped establish the anti-competitive conduct. Several other firms admitted to their involvement, benefiting from reduced penalties as a result.
No-poaching agreements, widely recognized in competition law, are considered particularly harmful because they eliminate competition for talent, suppress wages, and restrict professional opportunities. By targeting these practices, the Romanian Competition Council aims to reinforce fair market conditions and protect employee mobility in the labor market.
The fines imposed are enforceable and contribute directly to state revenues, with the National Agency for Fiscal Administration responsible for executing the penalties. The full decision will be published after confidential information is removed.