ILO Study: Care Work Must Be Recognized and Protected – A Key Step Toward Equity and Development in the Republic of Moldova

Perceptions of gender equity in domestic responsibilities remain low: only 64% of women and 55% of men believe that fair distribution of household responsibilities is a matter of gender equality. In many Moldovan households, a traditional division of roles persists, reinforced by deeply rooted cultural norms.

Against this backdrop, the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted an analysis of Moldova’s legal framework to assess its alignment with the provisions of Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic workers. The Convention sets international standards for fair wages, decent working conditions, social protection, and respect for the rights of domestic workers.

"The ILO carried out this assessment to evaluate how closely Moldova’s legislative framework aligns with the provisions of ILO Convention 189, identifying areas of compatibility as well as gaps that may require improvement. The goal is to propose legislative adjustments and policy measures to strengthen the protection of domestic workers' rights in Moldova. By participating in this event, we aim to reinforce tripartite dialogue and jointly define concrete actions to improve the legal framework and working conditions in this sector," said Diana Cebotaru, ILO Project Coordinator in Moldova.

The assessment focuses on: Identifying alignment between national legislation and the Convention; Highlighting gaps and challenges in implementation; Proposing concrete legislative changes.

Although national legislation does not yet recognize domestic and care work in the same way as regulated employment, there are some exceptions, such as the framework for personal assistants. Nevertheless, the majority of care work remains informal, unprotected, and undeclared—often provided by relatives or neighbors without contracts, social contributions, or formal employment status.

To change this reality, the adoption of concrete policies and measures is essential, including: Expanding access to affordable care services; Extending social protection to domestic workers; Supporting the formalization of care work; Raising awareness of the economic and social value of care work.

"The care sector encompasses a vast and diverse workforce, including professionals in education, health, and social services—many of whom work in the public sector. However, in societies where public service coverage is limited, as is the case in Moldova, the responsibility for dependent care often falls to domestic workers—an informal, less visible workforce, often lacking legal protections. As the population ages and the shortage of formal care workers grows, more and more households rely on domestic workers to meet their needs. In Moldova, this shift is just beginning. The ILO stands ready to support these efforts by sharing experiences and lessons from other countries that can help shape policies tailored to the national context," emphasized Maria Jose Chamorro, Gender and Formalization Specialist, ILO DWT/CO Budapest.

The report supports Moldova’s commitments to gender equality, decent work, and European integration, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). The ratification of Convention No. 189 is planned for 2026, in accordance with the National Action Plan for EU Accession 2024–2027.

The findings were presented and discussed at a workshop attended by representatives of public authorities and civil society.