Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) - Republic of Moldova (Ratification: 2006)

The Committee takes due note of the information provided by the Government in response to its comments regarding Article 4(3) (Compulsory postnatal leave) and Article 8(2) (Employment protection) of the Convention and wishes to draw its attention to the following points.

Article 3. Health protection. The Committee notes that according to section 21 of Act No. 186 on safety and health of 10 July 2008, women in certain types of occupations, determined by the Ministry of Health in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, undergo medical examination taking into account the occupational risks faced at work. Please indicate whether the Minister of Health has determined the list of occupations considered dangerous or posing risks to the health of mothers and children in accordance with section 21 of Act No. 186 and whether a requirement to undertake a pregnancy test in respect of those occupations is permitted. Finally, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether any measures have been taken with respect to the reduction of occupational risks and the guarantee of a safe working environment for pregnant and breastfeeding workers and their children in the framework of the National Reproductive Health Strategy for 2005–15 and the National Health Strategy for the period 2008–23.

Article 6(2) and (3). Maternity benefits paid out of social insurance. The Committee notes from the report that maternity cash benefits paid to insured women almost doubled in the period 2010–12, rising from 6,848 Moldovan leu (MDL) to MDL13,383, while maternity allowances paid to unemployed women and women who do not qualify for benefits decreased over the same period from MDL920 to MDL744. Please indicate how these amounts relate to the monthly subsistence minimum per adult and per child.

Article 9(2). Pregnancy test. The Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that the national legislation does not require women to undertake a pregnancy test for employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether it considers necessary to introduce into the national legislation a provision expressly prohibiting pregnancy tests or certificates of such a test when a woman is applying for employment, pursuant to this provision of the Convention.