The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) organized, on March 17, 2026, the closing conference of the national campaign “Be the Voice of Equity in the Workplace!” — an event dedicated to promoting gender equality and strengthening the rights of workers with family responsibilities. The event was organized in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova, and the “Women for Peace & Prosperity” project.

The conference brought together representatives of public authorities, international organizations, national sectoral trade union centres, CNSM representatives from the regions, social partners, and other guests to review the campaign results and outline the next steps in promoting the ratification of ILO Convention No. 156 on Workers with Family Responsibilities.

Launched on May 27, 2025, and implemented over nearly 10 months (May 27, 2025 – March 17, 2026), the campaign was carried out by CNSM in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the National Social Insurance House, with the support of the Government of Switzerland.

The main objective of the campaign was to inform, raise awareness, and mobilize trade union members, social partners, and the general public regarding the need to ensure equal treatment for workers with family responsibilities, as well as to promote the ratification of ILO Convention No. 156 — adopted in 1981 and ratified to date by 47 countries.

In his address, CNSM President Igor Zubcu expressed gratitude to the partners and all those involved in implementing the campaign nationwide. “We managed to openly discuss the challenges faced by employees trying to balance professional life with family responsibilities. We promoted best practices, organized awareness-raising activities across the country, and encouraged dialogue among social partners within trade union initiatives. These actions have demonstrated that gender equality and support for families are not merely declarative principles, but essential elements for a fair and modern labour market. The campaign results show a growing interest in developing policies and mechanisms to support workers with family responsibilities,” the CNSM President emphasized.

The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova proposes concrete measures to support employees, including counting paternity leave and childcare periods towards the contribution record. At the same time, CNSM calls for granting paid leave to employees who care for parents or other elderly persons, in order to genuinely meet their needs. Trade unions also propose adjusting tax benefits for individuals supporting family members by aligning income thresholds with the minimum pension level.

The CNSM President stressed that creating a fair and family-friendly working environment is essential, and that public policies must take into account workers’ family responsibilities. The ratification of ILO Convention No. 156 by the Republic of Moldova would represent a clear commitment to supporting these workers and promoting equal opportunities.

Welcome remarks at the conference were delivered by Claire Harasty, Director of the ILO Office in Budapest; Yesim Oruc, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova; Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova; Marina Morozova, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Protection, Health and Family; Mihai-Gabriel Ciobanu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; Diana Cebotari, ILO Project Coordinator; Vlad Caminschi, Executive Director of the National Confederation of Employers of Moldova; and Elena Țîbîrnă, Director General of the National Social Insurance House of the Republic of Moldova.

Two panel discussions were also held during the conference, moderated by Nelea Rusu, ILO Project Coordinator, and Lilia Franț, CNSM Vice-President, with the participation of representatives of national sectoral trade union centers, the CNSM Women’s Commission, and individuals involved in implementing the campaign at the territorial level. Discussions focused on the implementation of ILO Convention No. 156, international and national perspectives, and the transition from global strategies to local actions.

According to information presented by Lilia Franț, CNSM Vice-President, the campaign delivered concrete actions with measurable impact:

  • 2 training-of-trainers sessions completed by 53 participants, organized on the platform of the Trade Union Institute;
  • 21 training and information seminars conducted in 21 districts of the country, with over 874 participants, including 760 women trade union leaders and activists and 114 male leaders and activists;
  • 20 local trade union initiatives implemented in economic entities — ranging from mentorship programs for employees returning from parental leave to the inclusion of equal opportunities provisions in collective labour agreements;
  • Development and distribution of informational materials, guides, and training toolkits for national trade union trainers;
  • Organization of the awareness event “Active Fathers – Equal Partners in Raising Children,” in cooperation with UN agencies and civil society organizations.

The conference highlighted the significant impact of the “Be the Voice of Equity in the Workplace!” campaign, demonstrating the need to strengthen policies that support workers with family responsibilities and promote equal opportunities. Participants emphasized the importance of ratifying ILO Convention No. 156 as a key step toward developing a fair and modern working environment in the Republic of Moldova.

It should be noted that ILO Convention No. 156 on equal opportunities and equal treatment for workers with family responsibilities, adopted in 1981, is a key international instrument recognizing the importance of supporting those who balance family responsibilities with professional obligations.

The Convention acknowledges the need to ensure effective equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women with family responsibilities, as well as between these workers and other employees. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 45 countries.

Furthermore, Convention No. 156 and Recommendation No. 165/1981 recognize that many of the problems faced by all workers are exacerbated in the case of workers with family responsibilities. Therefore, it is necessary to improve their conditions both through measures addressing their specific needs and through broader measures aimed at improving working conditions in general.

More details about the activities carried out under the campaign “Be the Voice of Equity in the Workplace!” are available here: https://sindicate.md/c15