During a working visit to the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO), President of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), Igor Zubcu, held a meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

The discussions focused on current trends in the labour market, the challenges facing the trade union movement, and the need to strengthen mechanisms for protecting workers’ rights in an economic and social context that is undergoing continuous transformation.

An important topic of the meeting was the deregulation process in the labour market and its implications for employment relations, job security and collective bargaining.

In this context, the CNSM President highlighted the importance of ensuring a balance between the need to modernise the regulatory framework governing employment relations and the safeguarding of workers’ fundamental rights.

It was emphasised that simplifying regulations and promoting greater flexibility in the labour market should not lead to reduced social protection, the precarisation of work, or restrictions on trade union rights.

The meeting also addressed the challenges arising from structural transformations in the labour market, digitalisation, new forms of employment and labour migration, as well as the need to adapt public policies to these evolving realities.

Particular attention was given to the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in promoting balanced reforms that respond both to economic needs and to the interests of workers.

The meeting also covered prospects for strengthening cooperation between CNSM and the ILO, including in the context of the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2027, which identifies strengthening social dialogue, improving social protection and working conditions, and promoting productive employment as key priorities.