The Moldovans working in Austria and, respectively, the Austrians working in Moldova are socially insured in the country where they work. On September 5, Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga signed a social security agreement with the Federal Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection of Austria Rudolf Hundstorfer, Info-Prim Neo reports. ”The Republic of Moldova is one of the few countries with which we signed such an agreement. As many as 347 Moldovans work legally in Austria and pay taxes. Owing to this agreement, the period during which they worked in Austria will be registered officially. If they decide to return home, the pension will ‘migrate’ together with them,” said Rudolf Hundstorfer. He also said that Austria used a simulation procedure in this respect, as if Moldova is part of the EU, and other countries are urged to do the same. Valentina Buliga informed that the agreement signed with the Republic of Austria regulates the relations in the area of social insurance between the two countries. It stipulates the retirement age and provides for the medical insurance of the citizens of the signatory countries. “In Austria, there are several hundreds of Moldovans who work legally, but this agreement can benefit thousands of people,” she said. Austria is the fifth country with which Moldova signed such agreements. The other four are Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, and Luxemburg. Similar agreements are to be signed with Estonia, Poland, and Hungary. Negotiations are also carried out with Italy and Russia.