Socio-economic situation of women from Moldova remains precarious

The members of the Women Council of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), the leaders and specialists of CNSM, representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Labour Institute and international experts attended on the 15^th and 16^th of June, Chisinau, the conference “Socio-economic situation of women in Moldova”.

The participants analysed the problems faced by women in the country, both on the labour market, community and family life, but also the achievements of trade unions to improve the socio-economic situation thereof.

According to Liuba Rotaru, president of the Women Council of CNSM, the worsening of the socio-economic situation in the country, lack of appropriate policies that would target job creation, cause injurious consequences on labour markets, including on women’s employment.

“We have the lowest salaries in Europe and the lowest level of GDP per capita. Women’s wages are 17 percent lower than men because they accept to be employed in lower paid sectors, lower positions than those owned by men. The problems of reconciling family life and involvement of fathers in childcare remain some of the most stringent. Meanwhile, violence persists among immigrant women, Roma, older women, women with disabilities,” said Rotaru.

“Within the social dialogue we had meetings with the ladies from Parliament and Government, following which we achieved tangible achievements. Among them we can mention the establishment of paternity leave of 14 days paid from the social insurance budget in order to encourage fathers to get involved in child care; first attempt in vitro fertilization from CNAM sources; amendment of the legislation to exclude military indirect discrimination on grounds of sex to obtain parental leave; development of youth-friendly services,” stressed Liuba Rotaru. She added that currently a concern for trade unionists is negotiating increasing the payment of the single allowance at birth and for childcare.

Oleg Budza, president of CNSM, appreciated the involvement of the Women Council in the consolidation of the society and the improvement of living standards, by negotiating better living conditions for women. “Lately increased women trade unionists activism. 60% of all trade union members who are women. At the same time, they represent 25% of the members of the Confederal Committee of CNSM and 35% of all members of the General Council of CNSM, increasing the number of women presidents of branch trade unions,” said the trade union leader.

Present at the event, Olga Nicolae, ITUC / PERC expert, said that the situation remains complicated in all regions of the former Soviet Union, where over 28 million people do not have a job. “Reducing wages, informal work, violations of ILO conventions, increasing poverty, inequity, increase various forms of discrimination among women, domestic violence and low promotion in decision-making – these are common problems for all mentioned countries”, she said.

Grigor Gradev, Senior Specialist for Workers Activities, ILO Office Budapest, made reference to the components of the Country Programme for Decent Work, which relates to social protection and better conditions of work, employment and the labour market, strengthening social dialogue. “Trade unions must be those that come with the initiative, always have ready key solutions and demonstrate their participatory spirit,” suggested the expert.

Participants at the conference formulated in two workshops, a set of proposals for the roadmap for the years 2016-2017 of the Women Council. Thus, among the priorities identified by women are: supporting the country’s economic growth and decent job creation; promoting the concept of equal pay for work of equal value, eliminating wage disparity by gender; increase the allowance at childbirth; increase the monthly allowance for child care until the age of 3 years; develop childcare services up to 3 years (nurseries).

On the aspect related to women’s empowerment and gender equality, trade unionists consider important to continue information and awareness on equality at work, training of young women on collective bargaining, sharing experience internally and externally and female solidarity.

More pictures can be seen here.

Department of mass-media and international relations