New method for establishment and payment of maternity allowance impair women’s rights

The new method of establishment and payment of maternity allowance impair the women’s rights, especially, of the young ones, who have no length of service. The declaration belongs to the Women’s Council within the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (NCTUM), who met recently at a round table titled: „Syndicalist women – for a social efficient and constructive dialogue”. 

The 70 women, trade union members of the whole country, who participated in the round table discussions, touched upon the problems faced by women employed in the budget and the agricultural sectors, as well as, the challenges concerning the health and education reforms.

The syndicalists had many proposals for improving the conditions of the employed women – the increase of the allowance for child’s birth up to 5000 lei, the modification of the pension legislation, especially, the establishment of pensions for persons activating in agriculture, the modification of the Law on remuneration, as well as, the amendment of art. 111 of the Labour Code.

„The new calculation method of the maternity allowances, which stipulates the modification of the payroll basis from previous 6 to 12 months, is an injustice and a burden for pregnant women, which will lead to the decline of birth. We have a lot of problems, which can not be solved overnight. We should continue to insist till things change”, President of the Women’s Council within NCTUM Liuba Rotaru declared.

Deputy-President of the NCTUM Petru Chiriac stated there are great reservations concerning the woman’s social protection.

„The state bodies, trade unions touch upon these problems in order to increase the living standards, make all possible to become a civilized country, protecting first of all women. We have debts in the domain of labour remuneration, pensions, indemnities. But we have concrete plans in order to liquidate the arrears for wages. We wish the minimum country wage to be brought to the subsistence minimum. We want to raise the living standards of women who have children. We require the indemnities for birth and child support to be brought to a higher level. We want to liquidate the difference between men’s and women’s wages, who do the same job”, Chiriac said.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Republic of Moldova Liliana Palihovici assured the dialogue partners that she will analyse each proposal and together with the Parliament’s colleagues and the resort ministries, will make efforts for improving the legislative framework.

„The trade unions also have to contribute to the realisation of the launched reforms, which would bring benefits to all citizens. The government has to settle several serious problems, which need a strategic vision and financial resources. We will modernize the state, we’ll increase the salaries and all these things will be done when we will register progress and have enough financial resources for that purpose”, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament stated.

The event was also attended by deputy Valentina Stratan who mentioned the importance of the dialogue and efficient communication between the NCTUM and power factors for the improvement of the women’s situation in the society.

The Women’s Council is a structure of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova, consisting of 27 members – representatives of the women structures within the national-branch trade union centres.  

Trade Unions Informational Centre