Trade unionists and international experts discussed the need to implement international policy documents

European and International Standards of Labour under the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement signed by Moldova and the European Union were the topic of a workshop held in Chisinau on 13-14 September. The activity was attended by the board of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), members of the Confederal Committee of CNSM, experts of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (BCH) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Oleg Budza, president of CNSM, mentioned that the goal of the workshop is paramount, given the socio-economic context of our country. “There is a number of challenges that we face as a trade union structure, but we must align to international policy documents to deal with the situation. I hope that after these works we will be able to develop and implement a new trade union strategy, built on sustainable development objectives of Agenda 2030, the Decent Work Country Programme 2016-2020 and other European and international policy fundamental documents for the development of the Moldovan society,” said Budza.

Based on these objectives there is a number of actions to be achieved aimed at developing the National Strategy for Labour Employment, boost the process of development of occupational standards, change the legal framework for social dialogue and strengthen collective bargaining, solve amicable collective labour conflicts, strengthen the State Labour Inspectorate, improve the mechanism for setting the minimum salary and welfare reform. All these commitments have been assumed by our country by signing the Association Agreement Moldova with EU, said the trade union leader.

Grigor Gradev, senior specialist, ILO / ACTRAV, Budapest, stressed that Moldova is in a more specific situation, given the political and social-economic context, which is why a number of European directives should be implemented within a limited period. “Whatever the future of the EU and the role of Moldova in this union, the workers would continue to wish normal living standards and working conditions,” he opined.

Doing a presentation of social dialogue in EU countries, Gradev noted that this is the key to development strategies and for an effective social dialogue, we need strong and strengthened trade unions.” Only when you become a strong structure you get the right reaction and response to,” suggested the expert to Moldovan trade unionists.

Juan Manuel Lanfranco, Advocacy Officer, Trade Union Development Cooperation Network – ITUC, stressed that sustainable development is a priority for the labour movement. “Trade unions must be active at the national level to promote the development agenda, which has the more mandatory than voluntary. In some countries trade unions are allianced between them to ensure a more effective promotion, which is recommended for Moldova “, said the expert.

Alexander Oprunenco, policy specialist at UNDP spoke about the agenda of the Millennium Development Goals 2030 and the Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by the Republic of Moldova along with other states, stressing that the latter is more comprehensive.

In turn, Sergiu Sainciuc, vice president of CNSM, said that the four pillars of Decent Work Agenda of the ILO and the Decent Work Country Programme – promoting jobs and businesses, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection and promoting social dialogue – are crucial for CNSM, namely because they will contribute to the advancement of the entire development agenda.

Velichka Mikov, executive secretary in the Department of Labour of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (BCH) made a presentation of key EU Directives related to working time and fixed-term work.

Department of mass media and international relations