Esther Lynch, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, paid a working visit to the Republic of Moldova on 22-24 November 2023. It has been one year since the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) joined the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

 The agenda of her working visit includes meetings with Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, Vice-President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, the CNSM leadership and members of the CNSM Confederal Board. Esther Lynch will also hold talks with graduates of the Trade Union School of Moldova and visit the Labour Institute

During the discussions, Ms Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary, will address topics related to the role of trade unions in the context of Moldova’s accession processes to the European Union from the perspective of protecting and promoting the rights and interests of employees, trade union members, working conditions and social and economic protection of employees in the Republic of Moldova, development of social dialogue and cooperation between social partners, promotion of youth rights, protection of women’s rights, combating the informal economy.

The European Trade Union Confederation is the main trade union organisation representing workers at European level. As a European social partner, the ETUC has both a consultative role with the European Commission and a role in negotiating agreements and work programmes with European employers. It coordinates the national and sectoral policies of its affiliates in social and economic matters, particularly in the EU institutional processes.

ETUC collaborates with all EU governing bodies: the Presidency, the Council, the Commission and the Parliament. ETUC advocates greater trade union participation in economic governance at both EU and national level, supports public investment, a green economy, fair taxation and quality jobs for all, and opposes precarious work and austerity policies.

The ETUC was founded in 1973 and includes more than 90 trade union organisations with over 45 million trade union members.