Law 118/2002 – Merit allowances

Law No. 118 of March 15, 2002 for the establishment of the merit allowance provides that it is granted to prestigious Romanian personalities, for special achievements and to reward a notable activity in the field of culture, science and sports.

The National Commission for Awarding Merit Indemnity is composed of the president of the Romanian Academy, the presidents of the culture committees and the labor committees of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Education and Research, the Minister of Sports and Youth and the presidents of the creative unions recognized by the National Association of Creative Unions (Union of Architects of Romania, Union of Writers of Romania, Union of Visual Artists of Romania, Union of Filmmakers of Romania, Union of Composers and Musicologists of Romania, Theater Union of Romania).

The monthly amount of the merit allowance is equal to an amount that represents 3 times the value of the gross minimum wage in the country guaranteed in payment and is non-taxable. The amount necessary for the payment of the merit allowances is borne by the state budget.

THE UNITER SUB-COMMISSION, PART OF THE CULTURE SUB-COMMISSION OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE GRANT OF MERIT COMPENSATION (during the period May 9, 2022 – 2026)

• Dragoș Buhagiar – committee president
• Radu Afrim
• Emil Boroghină
• Alice Georgescu
• Marcel Iureș

153 personalities of Romanian theatrical life benefit from merit allowance through UNITER. We are the Union that has allocated the largest number of allowances, given the various categories of creators within the union.

The criteria for awarding merit allowance in the theatrical field are the following, according to the methodological norms for the application of Law 118/2002:

1. publicly recognized artistic value;
2. seniority in theatrical and cinematographic activity;
3. awards obtained in theatrical and cinematographic competitions and festivals;
4. national and international distinctions.

In order to be granted the merit allowance, potential beneficiaries, members of our union, must submit the following documents to the UNITER registry:

• curriculum vitae;
• documents attesting to the fulfillment of the criteria for awarding the merit allowance;
• copy of identity card;
• copy of higher education documents in the field of theater;
• two recommendations from personalities of Romanian theatrical life.