CNSM requires increased penalties for employers who admit salary arrears

Confederal Committee of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) notes with concern increasing debt to pay wages in the units of the national economy and calls on the Government to take measures to liquidate them.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in August 2016 the arrears on salaries of employees in the national economy amounted to 195.3 mil. lei, increasing by 38.4 mil. lei or 24.5%, compared to December, 2015.

The largest share of arrears in payment of salaries have been documented in transport and storage industry – 50.4% (98.4 mil. lei), in manufacturing – 19.2% (37.6 mil. lei), in agriculture, forestry and fisheries – 10.7% (20.9 mil. lei), construction – 5.8% (11.5 mil. lei).

Meanwhile, according to data from national-branch trade union centres, the biggest salary arrears are registered in railway transport, at SE “Railway of Moldova”, where work about 10 thousand people. According to the situation in October 2016, the backlog amounted over 127 million. lei.

“Unfortunately, the agreement concluded in 2015 between the branch social partners on winding during one year salary arrears was not respected. Although so far have been taken some measures, the management of the company are paying current salaries, remaining arrears for previous months,” said Sergiu Sainciuc, vice president of CNSM.

The trade union leader noted that the situation overall has worsened after the moratorium on state control, including fiscal, established in April this year. If at that stage salary arrears amounted 138 mil. lei, in August they rose by another 57.2 mil. Lei.

In this situation, trade unions consider it necessary to increase the accountability of those who admit arrears of wages, by amending several laws aimed at tightening penalties for employers debtors.

Thus, CNSM requests the Government to amend Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code to tighten penalties for persons guilty of admission of salary arrears and the introduction of criminal liability for violation of terms of salary payment or partial payment, as defining criterion of forced work. Meanwhile, trade unionists consider necessary to amend the Labour Code to increase the penalty paid by the employer for each additional day of delay in payment of wages, and amending Law no. 131 on state control over business activity, to exclude the State Labour Inspectorate from its scope.

Proposals are to be submitted to the National Commission for consultations and collective bargaining to be discussed at the next meeting.

Department of mass media and international relations