Key aspects related to strengthening cooperation and enhancing social dialogue at the national level were discussed on Thursday, March 19, at the Trade Union House in Chișinău, during a meeting between the leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) and representatives of Swiss social partners, who were on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova.

During the discussions, the parties reviewed the current situation on the labour market, as well as CNSM’s main areas of activity. They also highlighted shared priorities aimed at promoting workers’ rights, developing social partnership, and supporting fair labor policies.

The CNSM delegation included Sergiu Sainciuc, Vice-President of CNSM, Lilia Franț, Vice-President of CNSM, and Valeriu Cazacu, Head of the International Relations, Mass Media and Information Technology Department.

The Swiss delegation comprised Reto Wyss, Secretary General of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation, Blaise Matthey, Special Advisor to the Swiss Employers’ Confederation, and Patrik Meier, Policy Advisor within the International Labour Affairs Division of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Chișinău: Guido Beltrani, Director of Cooperation, Simone Di Stefano, Deputy Director of Cooperation, and Andrei Stratulat, Programme Coordinator.

CNSM representatives presented recent developments regarding negotiations on increasing the minimum wage, cooperation within the social partnership framework at national, territorial, and sectoral levels, as well as actions undertaken to combat the informal economy. The discussions also addressed occupational safety and health, the need to strengthen labour inspection capacities, youth inclusion in the labour market, policies supporting workers with family responsibilities, vocational training, and the involvement of social partners in the European integration process.

Participants appreciated the current level of cooperation and emphasized the importance of further developing collaborative relations. In this context, CNSM leadership expressed gratitude for the consistent support and openness demonstrated by Swiss partners in supporting trade union initiatives.

Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to intensify dialogue and cooperation in order to achieve common objectives and promote a fair, inclusive, and sustainable working environment.