Trade unionists from 10 countries have met in Chisinau to exchange good practices of social protection for women

Representatives of women structures of national trade union centres in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia and Moldova have met in Chisinau on the 21 to 23 September 2016 to exchange experience, to enhance the professional trade union qualifications and to inform about the latest methods of social protection of employees, especially women.

During the seminar, women trade unionists discussed the priorities of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on gender equality, motivation and participation of women in trade union activity, communication – a core competence of professional growth of women and woman – leader of a trade union organization.

However, participants in the meeting stressed the need to promote women in society, especially in leadership, decision-making and planning processes, which is one of the important objectives of the activity of all women trade union structures.

Liuba Rotaru, president of Women Council of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), said that Moldova was not chosen randomly as the destination for this meeting. “It was a challenge and an encouragement to us, what motivates us to be more active. We have things to share to our colleagues, also we want to hear their experiences, how they promote their interests at home,” said Rotaru.

According to her, women must pool their efforts to address the problems faced because they are largely specific to all countries.

In turn, Olga Nicolae, political advisor in the Pan-European Trade Union Council (ITUC-PERC), said that the Women Council of CNSM is a very active trade union structure in promoting women, particularly on gender issues. “At this activity are present many young women who do not yet have enough experience. It is very important for participants to know the rights they have and apply them in practice. Another objective of trade unionists is the promotion of women in leadership positions. Obviously, it is a difficult process, but that can be achieved by increasing solidarity among women,” said Nicolae.

Attending the opening of the seminar, Oleg Budza, president of CNSM, said that not all European directives and regulations are fair to social protection of women. Therefore, one purpose of this meeting is to share experiences, identify best practices and find ways to implement them, depending on the needs of each country. “If women are protected, family institution will be safe and the country will prosper,” concluded trade union leader.

The seminar was organized by PERC-ITUC, together with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation and CNSM.

Department of mass media and international relations