Fair Work Practices Discussed at a Round Table Dedicated to the International Decent Work Day

On the occasion of the International of Decent Work Day 7th October, the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (CNSM) organized a round table dedicated to discussing fair work practices and workers' rights in the Republic of Moldova. The event brought together experts, government officials, employers' associations, and development partners. It was organized with the support of the project "Inclusive and Productive Employment in Moldova" implemented by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

The roundtable provided a platform for discussions aimed at highlighting successful initiatives and addressing current challenges in the labour market, with a special focus on ensuring decent wages and fair work conditions underlining the idea of ​​justice, fairness and compliance with legal and moral standards in the field of work.

The participants discussed the recent developments related to national and international labour policies, confirming their commitments to support Moldova's efforts to align with European standards.

For Moldova, wages are at the heart of decent work. Starting in 2022, at the request of the Unions, Moldova adopted legislative changes to establish a unified national minimum wage in accordance with the Labor Code and Law no. 847/2002. The minimum wage represents the lowest remuneration set by the Government for unskilled work.To address poverty and social inclusion, CNSM advocates that it should reach at least 50% of the average wage by January 2027.

Moldova's commitment to the international standards is stated in the ratification of ILO’s Minimum Wage Convention (C.131) and the European Social Charter.. The National Action Plan for Moldova's accession to the European Union (2024–2027) prioritizes the transposition of the EU Directive 2022/2041 on minimum wages by September 2025, thus contributing to the consolidation of wage fairness and social protection.

The participants of the event, including the representatives of national institutions, trade unions, employers' associations and international organizations highlighted the importance of a coordinated response to the challenges of the labour market. The discussions focused on the protection of workers' rights and the provision of fair employment opportunities.

Promoting inclusive and productive employment is a priority of the ILO in its collaboration with the Republic of Moldova aimed to develop the labour market and improve the work conditions, according to the objectives of the Decent Work Country Program for 2021-2024.

For more information, please contact: Violeta Vrabie, ILO project coordinator Phone: + (373) 78 11 33 90; e-mail: vrabie@ilo.org