Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2025, Publicación: 114ª reunión CIT (2026)

Convenio sobre política social (normas y objetivos básicos), 1962 (núm. 117) - República de Moldova (Ratificación : 1996)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in its report. The Government refers to recent reform efforts, including the reforms to improve the National Employment Agency’s services during 2023–2026, a new methodology for evaluating Public Employment Service (PES) performance indicators implemented in 2023, and the reform of the State Labor Inspectorate. The Government indicates that as a result of these efforts, there were 11,062 persons placed in employment in 2023, 14.1 per cent more than in 2022; there was an 8.8 per cent increase in women’s employment in urban areas, the highest in 5 years; and there was an increase of undeclared workers identified per year, from 80 to over 650, in just 6 months. The Government adds that in 2022, the National Employment Programme 2022–2026 was approved, with specific objectives aimed at increasing the participation rate of young people and strengthening the institutional capacities of the National Employment Agency in Moldova (ANOFM). As regards the ongoing policy on unemployment, the Government refers to the following benefits granted to the unemployed: professional training vouchers, implemented in 2023 and allowing holders to access professional training services; and unemployment benefits equivalent to €155 in overage, which are set at 40 per cent of the average monthly insured income from the last 12 months within the 24 months prior to registration. Concerning measures to address the family needs of workers, the Government refers to the implementation of enhanced parental leave choices, birth grants, expanded paternity leaves and flexible work arrangements. The Government also refers to different measures addressed to: (i) grant access to essential services such as water and sanitation, electricity, heating; and (ii) housing and assistance for the homeless. The Committee notes the statistical data provided by the Government on the levels of absolute and extreme poverty 2019–2023, in particular that by 2023, 31.6 per cent of the population was in absolute poverty and 13.8 per cent of the population was in extreme poverty. The Committee notes that the share of informal employment in the Republic of Moldova was 52.2 per cent in 2023, one of the highest in Europe (ILOSTAT, 2024). The Committee also notes that the high prevalence of undeclared work represents one of the biggest challenges for the labour market and the social protection system (ILO, Diagnostic report on undeclared work in Moldova, ILO Geneva, 2024). The Committee notes with interest that in April 2024 the ILO launched the EU-backed project to strengthen labour market institutions in the Republic of Moldova when the country is aiming to achieve EU Accession by 2030. The Committee also notes with interest that in November 2024 the Council of Europe adopted the Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2028 (the fourth Council of Europe action plan for the country since 2013), which aims to bring the Republic of Moldova’s legislation, institutions and practice further into line with Council of Europe standards regarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Committee further refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). Recalling Articles 1–2, the Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on results achieved to make the improvement of standards of living the principal objective of economic-development planning, including: (i) time-bound targets, budget/execution and evaluation findings linking macroeconomic, social-protection and labour-market measures to poverty reduction and decent-work outcomes (with data disaggregated by sex, age, disability, region and nationality); and (ii) how policy design took account of effects on population well-being (Art. 1(2)), including ex-ante social impact assessments and public consultation outcomes.

With reference to Article 3, the Committee requests information on measures to harmonize development with the healthy evolution of communities, including: (i) analysis of internal and cross-border migratory movements and responses adopted; (ii) town and village planning to prevent congestion and improve access to services; and (iii) improvement of rural living conditions and development of suitable rural industries.

With reference to Article 4 (agricultural producers), the Committee requests detailed information on measures to: (i) reduce chronic indebtedness of smallholders (e.g. debt relief/restructuring, extension services, insurance); (ii) control alienation and use of land with due regard to customary rights; (iii) supervise tenancy arrangements and working conditions to ensure tenants’/labourers’ equitable share in productivity/price improvements; and (iv) promote cooperatives to lower production/distribution costs. Please include outcome data for family farms, micro and small rural enterprises.

With reference to Article 5, the Committee requests information on the official inquiries into living conditions used to ascertain minimum standards of living (methodology, indicators, consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations), and on how essential family needs (food/nutrition, housing, clothing, medical care, education) are reflected in policy parameters (benefit levels, minimum wage, tariffs/subsidies).

Moreover, given the high incidence of informality and undeclared work, the Committee requests: (i) a coherent transition strategy (targets, sequencing, enforcement, incentives) covering wage earners, independent producers and micro/small businesses; (ii) results of inspections and compliance drives (including the new Labour Inspectorate model); (iii) use of registration, simplified regimes, contributory minima and social-insurance inclusion; and (iv) impact on earnings, social-security coverage and enterprise productivity. Please indicate how these measures reflect Recommendation No. 204 and involve representatives of persons affected.

Finally, the Committee requests the Government to indicate how the population – through representative organizations of employers and workers and, where appropriate, other representative bodies of the persons affected – is associated in the framing and execution of measures of social progress, including the official inquiries into living conditions and the design and evaluation of policies on formalization, remuneration protection, migrant-worker safeguards, non-discrimination and training.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee notes with concern that once again the Government has not provided information on the previous request concerning the transfer of part of wages and savings abroad (Article 8(3) of the Convention). The Commission notes that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 more than 1 million Ukrainian citizens have entered the Republic of Moldova, of which over 100,000 are still residing in the country (UNHCR, 2024). The Committee notes with interest the different measures adopted in favour of Ukrainian refugees, such as the program of financial assistance in the cold season for vulnerable households of Moldovans and Ukrainian refugees launched in January 2025 (.gov.md). The Committee reiterates its request for information on Article 8(3) concerning facilities enabling workers to transfer part of their wages and savings to their home areas/countries; and, under Articles 7–8(1)–(2), on any bilateral or multilateral agreements regulating matters of common concern (equal treatment, social-security portability, remittance channels and costs). Please also report (Art. 6 and 9) on measures ensuring that terms and conditions of employment take account of normal family needs and cost-of-living differentials where workers move from low- to higher-cost areas. Provide statistical data on migrant workers (inward/outward), permits, sectors, complaints, and remedies.

Part IV. Remuneration. The Government indicates that, in consultation with the social partners, a new minimum wage of 5,000 Moldovan leu (equivalent to €261) was approved as of 1 January 2024, representing an increase of 25 per cent compared to 2023 and around 70 per cent compared to 2021. The Government adds that the new minimum wage corresponds to 43 per cent of the average salary forecast for 2023. The Government also refers to the social aid program Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI), which provides financial support for disadvantaged families. It indicates that in 2024 the GIM level for social aid was of 1,634 leu (equivalent to €85.84) for an adult and 1,700 leu (equivalent to €89) for a child. The Committee notes that compared to the year 2019, in the year 2024 the average value of the social aid increased by about 247 per cent, from 855 leu (equivalent to €44) to 2,106 leu (equivalent to €109). The Committee notes with concern that the Government has not responded to its previous comments on advances on the remuneration of workers and voluntary forms of thrift. With reference to Article 10, the Committee requests information on: (i) mechanisms for fixing minimum wages (collective agreements vs statutory bodies), coverage, and the right to recover underpayments (Art. 10(4)); (ii) awareness measures for workers/employers on applicable rates; and (iii) compliance and sanctions (inspections, assessed underpayments, amounts recovered, judicial/administrative outcomes).

With reference to Article 11, please provide information on wage-payment guarantees (legal tender/direct payment), wage registers and payslips, periodicity of payment, controls on deductions and payment in kind (adequacy and cash valuation), and measures preventing unauthorized deductions. Include recent inspection/evidence of compliance.

With reference to Article 12, the Committee requests the regulatory framework on advances on wages (maximum amounts, repayment, limits on hiring-related advances), and confirmation that excess advances are legally irrecoverable and not offset against later pay.

With reference to Article 13, please indicate measures to encourage voluntary thrift (e.g. payroll savings, financial inclusion) and to protect against usury (interest-rate caps/ceilings where applicable, supervision of moneylenders/microcredit, access to affordable credit via cooperatives or regulated institutions). Provide implementation and outcome data.

Part V. Non-Discrimination. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is a gender gap in pensions of 20 per cent. The Committee also notes that while the gender pay gap in the Republic of Moldova has narrowed over the last decade, women continue to earn less than men for work of equal value – about 15 per cent less in terms of monthly wages (ILO, The gender pay gap in Moldova. Recent trends and policy implications, ILO Geneva, 2024). The Committee requests information on measures taken to abolish discrimination on the grounds listed in Article 14(1), including equality in labour legislation and agreements; admission to employment; promotion; access to vocational training; conditions of work; health, safety and welfare; discipline; participation in collective bargaining; and wage rates fixed according to the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. Please provide: (i) operational steps to enforce equal pay for work of equal value (job-evaluation methods, pay-transparency tools, employer reporting duties, sanctions/rectification orders); (ii) results of inspections/complaints on sex-based and other forms of discrimination, with remedies applied; and (iii) measures to raise lower wage rates where gaps stem from discriminatory structures (Art. 14(2)), and any additional benefits relevant to workers employed away from home (Art. 14(3)). Please provide, as available, disaggregate all data by sex, age, disability, migration status and region.