In the Republic of Moldova it is recording a tendency of reducing the number of economically active persons

Economically active population in Moldova has recorded a downward trend in recent years, while decreasing the number of employment. A survey conducted by National Economic Research Institute, jointly with the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova  (NCTU) shows that in 2006-2014 the number of economically active population decreased by 124 800 people, from 1.3572 million, to 1.2324 million, while the number of employed persons decreased by 72 400, from 1.2573 million to 1.1849 million.

Compared with cities, villages have lost a large number of economically active persons, while employment in rural areas fell more sharply, by 7.1%, against 4.1% for the cities. Similarly, faster has reduced the number of employed women, than men. By types of economic activity, employment prevails in agriculture, hunting and fisheries.

Regarding the education level of the employed population, it has a positive trend. If in 2006 every fifth employed person had higher education degree, in 2014 this level possesses one fourth. Simultaneously, the weight of the population with low level of education decreased.

On the other hand, in the period 2010-2014 decreased total unemployment rate – from 7.4% to 3.9%. This indicator is lower in rural areas than in urban areas, the number of unemployed villagers reduced by 16 500 people, compared to 28 thousand unemployed people from cities. In the same period was reduced also the number of registered unemployed – from 81.5 thousand to 42.2 thousand persons.

Curiously, despite the situation in most countries in the region, in Moldova share of unemployed women is lower than that of men without a job. Thus, in different years it was 37- 41% and men – 59-63%. The situation is due to the fact that women often accept low-paid jobs.

At the same time, our country has the lowest unemployment rate (3.9% in 2014), both among EU countries and CIS countries.

Youth unemployment remains the most acute problem that requires attention from the responsible factors. This is caused largely by low competitiveness of recent graduates of vocational schools on workers with work experience.

Also worrying is the growing trend of informal employment, which comprises about 1/3 of the employed population. This phenomenon is specific to extent greater for men and has a predominately rural accent. Depending on age, tempted to work informal are young and old.

Examining the population situation in employment and unemployment in the country, Confederal Committee of the National Trade Union Confederation has asked the Moldovan Government to take measures to ensure socio-economic rights and interests and working conditions of employees.

Thus, trade unionists insist on improving the legal framework in order to develop mechanisms for stimulating entrepreneurial activity and investment and to create new jobs, especially in rural areas; connection of the curricula of technical vocational education systems and higher education to labor market needs and based on occupational standards; improving vocational guidance of young people; efficient implementation of the Action Plan to minimize the practice of payment of wages “in envelopes” and informal labour and amending the Law on state control over business activity in order to exclude the State Labour Inspectorate from its scope.

However, CNSM and national branch trade union centers committed to develop proposals to amend the legal framework for employment and a new draft Collective agreement (national level) in the field of continuing vocational training.

Department of mass-media and international relations