CNSM Women’s Commission claims that women are a category severely affected by the effects of the pandemic situation and need more support

The Women’s Commission of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) is concerned about the precarious socio-economic situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic which are facing the women from the Republic of Moldova. Meeting on 7 August at a round table with the generic “Women – a category severely affected by the effects of the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 infection”, the members of the Commission analyzed the effects of this situation and discussed about the reduction of infection risks in the workplace and in society.

According to Liuba Rotaru, president of the Women’s Commission within CNSM, out of the total number, so far, of people infected with the new coronavirus, which has reached almost 27 thousand cases, over 15 thousand women are infected. She claims that this figure shows a high share of diseases among women, as they are a category severely affected in this crisis.

The pandemic has put us all to a hard test. No one has been prepared for this crisis. People have to work remotely, some have lost their jobs and lost their livelihoods, and others have to work in difficult conditions without social protection. Women were particularly affected. In addition to the fact that we have many diseases among women, domestic violence against women has increased during this period, the moral and psychological situation of women has worsened. Many women have had to quit their jobs to stay home with their children. In order to help women, the members of the CNSM Women’s Commission met in online meetings and proposed concrete solutions that would contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic situation of women, ” said Liuba Rotaru.

During the discussions, trade unionists stressed the need to draw up a comprehensive plan to relaunch the economy, to draw up an action plan on the protection of women with many children and women in rural areas, implement additional measures to inform women to combat domestic violence by combining efforts of local public administration, NGOs and trade union structures.

At the same time, they underlined the importance of reestablishing the control function of the State Labor Inspectorate, perfecting the legislation in the field of occupational diseases, observing the provisions of the Conventions of the International Labor Organization no. 181 and no. 129, the recognition of illness with COVID-19 as an occupational disease, the stimulation of employees working in the first line. These, and also other proposals, will be included in a Declaration of the Women’s Commission of CNSM to be finalized in the near future and sent to the authorities.

Present at this meeting, Oleg Budza, president of CNSM, reviewed the activities carried out during this period by the trade union movement, aimed at supporting and protecting employees, trade union members. The trade union leader reiterated the need to pay more attention to employees working in the front line – doctors and medical staff, police officers, customs officers, various categories of civil servants. The president of CNSM also referred to the recent reopening of the balneo sanatorium resorts and specified that all the necessary measures have been organized for the protection of people who are recovering their health.

,,During this period, several joint projects with international organizations were prepared, which are to be implemented in the autumn of this year. We are working to strengthen the State Labor Inspectorate and the occupational safety and health system. Meetings are organized with the participation of the social partners where we analyze the effects of this crisis and identify solutions. What we lack is direct communication with our members. In order to overcome the current challenges, it is essential to strengthen and to stand together.”, emphasized Oleg Budza.

Other issues addressed at the Women’s Commission meeting referred to the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs whose businesses are on the verge of bankruptcy, supporting teachers, law enforcement officials, workers in culture and agriculture, but also from other branches. At the same time, during the meeting, the trade unionists were informed about the recent changes in the labor legislation and the activity of the National Social Insurance House (CNAS).

The Department of mass-media and international relations of CNSM