CNSM, an important social partner for the European Union

“Moldova’s trade unions represent for us, the European Union, a very important social partner, with whom we want to have an open dialogue, to cooperate prodigiously in the implementation of many labour standards, to achieve solid objectives coming from the perspective of the prescribed agenda of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement,” said Peter Michalko, the head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, who met today the leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM).

“This dialogue with the CNSM is very important to us because it allows us to make some assessments about what we have achieved and what we are going to do to apply EU labour standards in the Republic of Moldova,” said Peter Michalko.

“Moldova’s trade unions represent for us, the European Union, a very important social partner, with whom we want to have an open dialogue” said Peter Michalko, the head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

Oleg Budza, CNSM president, informed the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova that trade unions are one of the most extensive, consistent segments of civil society in our country. Therefore, he stressed, any meeting with the CNSM leadership is a clear opportunity to find out profound useful information on the relations between managers and employees in Moldova, the state of things that was created in the country at that time.

It has also been mentioned that the trade unions are faithfully, unswervingly following the European vector, because the European Union is a strategic objective for our country, which implies many benefits for Moldova. Already several valuable projects have been launched.

As for the CNSM, Oleg Budza pointed out that Moldovan trade unions are a major component of the trade union movement in Europe and the world, cooperating with colleagues from many countries on the continent such as: Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and other states.

At the same time, Oleg Budza emphasized, the meetings with CNSM representatives are beneficial from the perspective of informing on the welfare of the people in our country. At the moment, the Republic of Moldova cannot boast of a high standard of living for its citizens, with an advanced degree of economic development, which is exploited by the followers of the populist discourse, which never ends with good results. Prosperity and social balance in the Republic of Moldova, the president of CNSM warned, is based on honest, productive negotiations between equal partners who respect each other.

It has been remarked that it is very important for Moldovan employees to know all the advantages of the association with the European Union, to understand that their lives will change for the better.

Oleg Budza pleaded for stopping the exodus of labour force from the country. He recommended solutions to the problem of creating decent work places, the possibility for workers to buy apartments, attracting massive investments in the country by guaranteeing safe protection, launching domestic projects financed by Moldovan banks, radical reformation of the education system etc.

During the dialogue it was discussed the need to maintain levels of protection for workers, as stipulated by EU law, not to allow the diminution of employees’ rights through various normative acts such as the Labour Code, wage Law, collective labour agreement, but to negotiate at national and branch level on equal rights, on the recognition of dialogue partners that reach a common denominator.

The topic of popular diplomacy was also approached. In this context, Oleg Budza reported that the CNSM initiated a process of discussion with the representatives of the trade unions on the left side of the Dniester. A series of meetings with colleagues across the Dniester are planned, towards to address socio-economic issues, share of experience on European legislation, practices, etc. Peter Michalko approved the CNSM initiative.

Towards the end of the meeting, it was agreed to hold regular meetings with the CNSM, including at the level of the Confederal Committee, and the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, to address important aspects on occupational safety and hygiene, regarding labour standards, protection of employees, etc.

Department of Mass Media and International Relations of CNSM