Trade unions strengthen cooperation with the International Labor Organization for supporting the Ukrainian refugees

The leadership of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) met on Monday, 4 April, with Sergejus Glovackas, Director of the of the ILO-ACTRAV Bureau for Workers’ Activities for Europe and Central Asia, who was on a working visit in the Republic of Moldova for the period 3-7 April 2022.

Discussions focused on the situation of Ukrainian refugees and the problems of refugees leaving the neighboring country fleeing the war, other discussions were focused on strengthening the collaboration between CNSM and ILO-ACTRAV, including the prospects for collaboration for 2022-2023 in accordance with the CNSM Strategy and priorities for this period.

The president of the CNSM, Igor Zubcu, thanked the Director of the ILO-ACTRAV Bureau for Europe and Central Asia for the support offered in recent years related to reducing the impact of the pandemic on workers, trade union members, the implementation of several joint projects and the availability of ILO-ACTRAV to support the CNSM initiatives on the protection of workers’ rights at work. At the same time, the CNSM leadership provided comprehensive information on the organization of the process for supporting Ukrainian refugees, accommodated at the balneoclimateric health resorts which are subordinated to the CNSM, at the Labor Institute, where so far more than 12,000 refugees have been hosted.

Sergejus Glovackas, Director of the ILO-ACTRAV Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, stressed that the Republic of Moldova is highly appreciated at international level for the results achieved in the area of social dialogue, in particular for the the efforts aimed at managing the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Glovackas said that the International Labor Organization is ready to provide support and technical assistance to the CNSM for dealing with the crisis of Ukrainian refugees.

During the meeting, the Confederation leadership discussed a wide range of topics: activities in preparation for the Fourth Congress of the CNSM and the institutional strengthening of the trade union movement, the situation regarding the social partnership, labor legislation in the Republic of Moldova, labor inspection, labor market challenges, developing collaborative relationships with the social partners.

Also on April 4, Sergejus Glovackas, Director of the ILO-ACTRAV Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, met with members of the CNSM Confederal Committee. Discussions focused on the situation regarding the actions taken by CNSM and the national-branch trade union centers in support for Ukrainian refugees from the territory of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, was discussed the socio-economic situation, the actions aimed at supporting employees, trade union members, in the context of rising prices for energy tariffs and resources, the problems faced by the national-branch trade union centers at this stage in defending the workers’ rights at the workplace.

More activities are scheduled this week for the working visit of the high official from the ILO-ACTRAV. Sergejus Glovackas will go today, 5 April, to the “Bucuria-sind” sanatorium to see the situation regarding the support for Ukrainian refugees. In addition, on Wednesday, 6 April, Glovackas will visit the Labor Institute to see the conditions of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.

Department of Mass Media and International Relations