The leadership of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (CNSM) had a meeting with Petru Rotaru, Minister of Finance, on Wednesday 25 October 2023. Discussions focused on the need to review the minimum wage in the country, problems related to salaries in the budgetary sector, taxation of personal income, issues related to the organisation of balneological treatment of insured persons and the rest and health care of children and adolescents during the summer season, as well as other topics.

The meeting was attended on behalf of the CNSM by Igor Zubcu, President of the CNSM, Sergiu Sainciuc, Vice-President of the CNSM, Polina Fisticanu, Head of the Social and Economic Protection Department of the Confederation. The meeting was also attended by Olga Golban, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance, and Vladimir Arachelov, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance.

The trade unionists reiterated the need to establish a single minimum wage of 50-60% of the average monthly wage in the economy, in line with the provisions of the revised European Social Charter and the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages 2022/2041. According to the information discussed, in the case of the Republic of Moldova, 50% of the average wage forecast for 2023 of 11700 lei would result in a minimum wage of at least 5850 lei.

The CNSM proposed a revision of the legislation in the field of wages in the budgetary sector, including the establishment of a single reference value for all employees in the budgetary sector. At the same time, the trade unionists stressed that pay increases should be achieved through an actual increase in the basic salary, but not by granting various bonuses.

During the discussions, the trade unionists mentioned the need to increase the salaries of employees at the National Social Insurance House, where there is a high turnover of staff due to the high workload and insufficient level of remuneration.

On personal income taxation, trade unionists proposed a return to progressive taxation of personal income; an increase in personal exemptions, including the major one, and for dependants at least at the average annual rate of inflation.

Also at the meeting, the trade unionists proposed amending the legislation to allow, as an exception, advance payments of at least 75% for contracts for the organisation of balneological treatment of insured persons and the rest and health care of children and adolescents during the summer season.

More pictures of the meeting can be found on the CNSM Facebook page.