After a year of reforms, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu took stock of the work done in 2024. The minister highlighted the progress made and the major challenges, including the labor market reform, the fight against undeclared work and poverty, all of which are essential priorities for the coming year, IPN reports.
Workforce. Employment figures twice higher than in 2022
One of the main achievements of the Ministry in 2024 was the reform of the National Employment Agency (ANOFM), which led to the employment of more than 16,600 people, a twice higher result compared to 2022. "This means that the ANOFM assisted almost 39% of all unemployed people in the country to get a job. This is significant progress, but we still have a lot to do. Our goal for 2025 is for all the people able to work to have access to the necessary support to find a job," explained Buzu.
In addition, the minister mentioned the 10-fold reduction in the number of unemployed people receiving social assistance, which demonstrates the efficiency of the implemented reforms. "In some districts, such as Ocnița, this reduction was even 26-fold, and in others – 12-fold. This means that more and more people are supported to switch over from social benefits to stable jobs," pointed out the official.
As for undeclared work, Buzu said that although important progress has been made in 2024, undeclared work remains a major problem. The State Labor Inspectorate identified almost 3,100 people working without an employment contract, of which 80% have already been formalized. "It is an important step, but we still have work to do. In 2025 we will intensify inspections and make procedures more friendly to employers so that informal labor is effectively combated," said Alexei Buzu.
Poverty. Clear measures for vulnerable families
The minister also raised the problem of poverty, which remains one of the biggest challenges for the Republic of Moldova. "In 2023, the poverty rate was around 30-39%, but I am convinced that, thanks to the measures implemented, it will decrease in 2024. The Government will continue to support vulnerable families, especially those with children, through social assistance programs and more generous aid," promised the official.
In 2025, the Ministry will expand professional training programs for people in financial difficulty. "We will integrate vocational training measures into social aid programs. We will support unemployed mothers to benefit from training, and their children to go to nursery school. This is an intervention cycle that will contribute to poverty reduction in the long term," said the minister.
New international agreements for the diaspora
As for social protection, the minister announced the signing of important agreements for the Moldovans from the diaspora. "In 2024, we signed a historic agreement with Italy, and in 2025 we started negotiating a social protection agreement with Canada and France, countries where large communities of Moldovans live. These agreements will allow our compatriots to benefit from more social benefits, in a simplified and efficient way," said Buzu.
Domestic violence and child protection. Reforms continue
In 2024, the Ministry of Labor established the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Domestic and Women's Violence, and in 2025 it will align protection services with European standards. "We will invest in increasing the capacity of these services by up to 30%, and prevention will be a priority. We will pilot prevention models that will analyze the risks of violence in vulnerable families," noted the minister.
Regarding the protection of children, the minister highlighted the measures taken to support vulnerable families, such as the increase of the childbirth allowance and the establishment of support programs for children up to the age of 2. "For 2025, we aim to further develop these services and provide direct support to those who need it most," said Alexei Buzu.
The minister thanked the teams of reformers from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and stressed that, although there are many challenges, the implemented reforms will contribute to a real change in the lives of citizens.