The leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) met today, March 11, with experts from SOCIEUX+, a technical cooperation structure between public and social partners, set up and co-financed by the European Union (EU).

This activity took place in the framework of the action “Capacity Building for an Effective Social Dialogue of the CNSM” and marks an important step in the development of the CNSM international partnerships.

The SOCIEUX+ team of experts is composed of Konstancja Piatkowska, public policy expert, adviser at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Poland, and Noviti Spero Houmey, legal consultant, Permanent Secretary at FGTB Centrale Générale, Belgium.

Their visit is aimed at assessing the training needs of the CNSM, identifying challenges in key areas such as dialogue participation, advocacy, member engagement and institutional development.

The meeting was attended by Igor Zubcu, President of the CNSM, Sergiu Sainciuc, Vice President of the CNSM, Sergiu Morari, Senior Advisor of the CNSM, Polina Fisticanu, Head of the Department of Social and Economic Protection of the CNSM, and Valeriu Cazacu, Head of the Department of International Relations, Media and Information Technologies of the CNSM.

Igor Zubcu presented the work of the CNSM, the objectives of the trade union movement and the current challenges, underlining the importance of aligning with European values in the field of social dialogue, including the European Pillar of Social Rights. “We want to develop strong partnerships to achieve these goals, and the collaboration with SOCIEUX+ will support us in strengthening our institutional capacities and adopting European best practices”, said Igor Zubcu.

The trade union leader also informed about the collaboration of the CNSM with the International Labour Organization’s Bureau of Workers’ Activities (ILO-ACTRAV), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), trade union organizations from countries such as Romania, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark, as well as civil society organizations from the Republic of Moldova.

The SOCIEUX+ experts were informed about the efforts of the CNSM to develop social dialogue at all levels, the consultation and negotiation processes within the National Commission for

Consultation and Collective Bargaining, as well as the demands of the CNSM for the increase of the minimum wage in line with the EU Directive 2022/2041. They also addressed the challenges of the labor market in the Republic of Moldova, including the situation of young people.

SOCIEUX+ experts have expressed their openness to assist the CNSM in strengthening social dialogue  by providing support in the consultation and collective bargaining process. On the basis of their evaluations, a training program for trade union trainers will be developed to support the institutional development of the CNSM and the strengthening of effective social dialogue.

The discussions also focused on the challenges of participating in national and sectoral social dialogue, strategies for mobilizing members, difficulties in setting up trade union organizations in transnational companies, and the situation in the field of social dialogue in Poland and Belgium.

It is worth mentioning  that the overall objective of SOCIEUX+ is to broaden and improve people’s access to better employment opportunities and to develop inclusive social protection systems.