Oleg Budza: Debt burden should not be placed on the shoulders of citizens

The leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) and members of the Confederal Committee of CNSM had on Thursday, October 6th, a meeting with Prime Minister Pavel Filip, where they discussed importance issues for trade unionists.

Among the addressed topics were those aimed at attracting investment, creating new jobs and increasing the employment rate.

“Massive departures from the country have caused big problems on the labour market, which is experiencing an acute shortage of qualified personnel. More young people are disappointed of the opportunities in the country and choose to migrate abroad. Of the 50 thousand graduates of higher education institutions, only 40% were engaged in work in 2016. That is why, for us it is very important to attract investment, create jobs and decent salaries,” the said Oleg Budza, president of CNSM.

Trade union leader said that without massive investments, bank lending and affordable interest rates, the country has no chance of development. “We understand that the Government had to take responsibility for the seven laws necessary for the conclusion of a Memorandum with the IMF and the resumption of foreign financing from the EU and the World Bank. However, our condition is that the debt burden not to be placed on the shoulders of the population. It takes on the skill of the government to take the necessary measures not to harm citizens”, stressed Budza.

Trade unionists have talked about the need for liquidation of payment of wages, which are rising now being 180 million lei. In particular, they referred to the debt of 160 million lei from SE “Railway of Moldova”.

Also at the meeting were discussed issues related to promotion of the draft of government decision on the establishment of a minimum wage in rates up to 50-60% of the average wage; increase of personal exemptions to the subsistence level (personal exemptions have not been indexed in the last two years, while inflation exceeded 19% during this period); increase childbirth allowance in the amount of 6,000 lei for the first child and 6,500 lei for each subsequent child; speed up the process of drafting a law aimed at reforming the pension system; continuing actions to counteract informal work and payment of wages “in envelopes” and improving the labour jurisdiction.

Other issues, which drew the attention of trade unionists, refer to non-taxation of dismissal allowance; maintaining deduction of allocations made by employers in the form of donations and sponsorships to trade unions; maintaining State Labour Inspectorate as a control institution, including targeting safety and health at work and fulfilling the recommendations of the International Labour Organization in this regard; withdraw the draft law on the exercise of activities carried out by unqualified occasional day labourers, till the reach of an agreement, also the law aimed at cancelling workbooks.

Lastly, employees’ representatives have requested a review of increases in tariffs for heat and prevent the growth of other prices and tariffs, arguing that the request for increasing the tariff for thermal energy by 27% from Termoelectrica was one exaggerated, if the price of natural gas increased by 16%. It also follows that the Government take the necessary measures not to allow chain increases in other services and products.

Following discussions, the parties agreed that all these issues will be discussed within the Tripartite Commission to identify optimal solutions.

Photo source : www.gov.md

Department of mass-media and international relations