Though Moldova is a young country that tends to integrate into the EU, the situation on the labor market is alarming, say specialists of the Bucharest Scientific Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection, which was contracted by the Labor Ministry of Moldova to help modernize the social assistance system, IPN reports.

According to a study by the Institute, presented in a roundtable meeting on March 25, over 55% of the respondents aged between 15 and 64 are inactive on the labor market of Moldova. About 68,000 unemployed people are registered at employment agencies. Half of them have been out of work for a long period of time.

Most of the socially deprived respondents come from rural areas, are persons with disabilities and persons who do not have access to education and professional formation, or who didn’t manage to get a job. The women are more vulnerable than men from this viewpoint, with northern Moldova requiring increased attention in this respect. Among other identified problems are the migration of labor force, the lack of motivation and resources for decent living in the country, tensions and confusions in the social system and the absence of an education system that would be compatible with the labor market.

“The acquired professions and specializations are not consistent with the demand for labor. The people complete their studies and then cannot find work as the employer looks for something else,” said Vasilica Ciuca, director general of the Scientific Research Institute for Labor and Social Protection. According to her, the main barriers derive from the lack of information and the lack of continuous professional formation.

The benefit provided by the state to disadvantaged people is offered for at most two years, time during which the recipients must be registered with Moldovan employment agencies. From April 1, 2013, those who refuse to take the job proposed by the agencies do not get benefit.

Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga insisted on political transparency within the social assistance program and its components. Poverty must be combated by cooperating with all the ministries and competent institutions. The correct management of the communication strategies and a balanced labor market represent an investment in the future.

According to the Ministry’s statistics, 200,000 people were able to purchase food and to pay for public utilities with the benefit provided by the state in 2013. Following the implementation of the social assistance program, extreme poverty fell from 3.2% to 0.6%.

The Law on Social Benefit was adopted in 2008.