The social partners were acquainted with the effective practices of social dialogue, based on the Austrian model

Tuesday, November 17, the social partners participated in the round table „Social dialogue in Austria and Moldova”, in which were discussed the issues linked to the social dialogue in the Republic of Moldova and the social dialogue practices implemented in Austria.

The round table was attended by the leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (NTUCM), minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, National Confederation of Employers of Moldova, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, Austrian labor experts and trade union leaders.

Those present discussed the subjects related to the role of social partnership in the Republic of Moldova and in Austria, the models of social partnership that can be applied in our country, the views of the social partners on social dialogue, were identified the main problems with which are facing the employees and how they can be addressed through social dialogue.

„ Austria is a country rich in bearing social dialogue, in negotiations, talks, and in labor disputes namely peacefully and through social dialogue. Social dialogue is the basis for resolving all legislative, socio-economic issues, of labor remuneration and it is pleasing that the politicians, parliamentarians are not engaged in the social dialogue in Austria. There are not implied other structures and the partners are negotiating any problem that arises at all levels”, communicated Petru Chiriac, vice-president of the NTUCM.

According to Leonid Cerescu, president of the National Confederation of Employers of Moldova, in the Republic of Moldova the institutional legal framework related to social dialogue is a good one, but its application remains unsatisfactory.

Valeriu Lazar, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, stressed that social dialogue is based on processes that mean communication, acquisition of experience and consulting certain ideas.

„ Social dialogue is a cornerstone in a society that wants to be one with fewer riots, which develops, put emphasis and allocate resources to address multiple problems. A small problem if not addressed in time degenerates into a larger one and then, all of us, instead of avoiding them, we allocate this time to resolve them”, stressed Valeriu Lazar.

Referring to the social dialogue in Austria, Gero Stuller the special attaché of the Austrian Embassy in Chisinau said that in his country there is a close cooperation between the trade unions, employers, and the Chamber of Economy and decision makers.

„This means that at the development of major policies and laws there a involved the trade unions, employers and the Chamber of Economics and only after these three structures are involved, these laws are supported by all political parties. Therein lies the success of laws suited to every employee”, said Gero Stuller.

The Austrian experts attending the round table noted that in Austria both trade unions and employers directly participate in drafting laws. The state in this process is only the third person who submits and approves these documents and this practice brings success and prosperity to both employers and employees.

In the context, we note that NTUCM collaborates for several years with the trade unions from Austria within a range of successful projects such as the „Trade Union School of Moldova” or „School of Projects”

The round table „Social dialogue in Austria and Moldova” was organized by the Office of the Attache for Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, under the Austrian Embassy in Chisinau in collaboration with the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova.

Informational department of NTUCM