The leadership of CNSM met with the new representative of the German Foundation “Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung” for Romania and Moldova

President of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), Oleg Budza had on Tuesday, May 24, a meeting with Stephan Meuser, the new designated representative of the German Foundation “Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung” (FES) for Romania and Moldova and Ana Mihailov, coordinator of FES Moldova. During the meeting were discussed the prospects of cooperation between the two structures.

Oleg Budza welcomed the new representative of FES in Chisinau, noting that within the collaboration for years with the German foundation, Moldovan trade unions enjoyed an enormous support in the achievement of a number of important projects such as the “Trade Union School of Moldova”, “Trade union School of Projects” and the study “Specialized courts in labour disputes in the Republic of Moldova – necessity and opportunity” presented in March in Chisinau at an international conference.

“We want to cooperate actively both with FES and other international partners. European countries’ experience is very important to us, because Moldova has taken the European path and we, trade unionists, support this process, although we are aware that we are expecting a difficult time. Making a deep analysis on the implementation of the European directives and standards, we realize that this process will reach to some extent, the interests of employees. Therefore, we are preparing very carefully, consulting with colleagues from Romania and other countries, as we could face impending challenges,” said Budza.

The trade union leader also spoke about the need to strengthen the capacities of trade unions in the country, urging representatives of FES to provide support in this respect. “We need new ideas in terms of organizing, recruiting professionals because amateurism no longer works. Generations are changing and we do not want to fall behind, “he said.

In turn, Stephan Meuser, expressed willingness to continue and develop collaborative relationships between FES and CNSM, noting that he is aware of the concerns of trade unions in the region.

In addition to the projects already carried out based on partnership between FES and CNSM, the parties agreed on organizing a conference on social dialogue, which, most likely, will take place in autumn.

Stephan Meuser succeeds Matthias Jobelius. From April 2008 to January 2014, he was specialist for Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine and Belarus) and Southeast Europe (western Balkans) in the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Berlin and from January 2014 to currently he served as head of the Regional Office of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung for Ukraine and Belarus.
Department of mass-media and international relations